The one who comes tonight—
I will not meet with him;
like Tanabata,
I might be left to wait so long
through such enduring time.

Meaning

I will not meet the one who comes tonight, for like Tanabata, I might be made to wait for a very long time.

Commentary

Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)

The phrase “I might be made to wait” (machi mo koso sure) appears in some versions as “ae mo koso sure,” which is thought by some to be the original form. “Ae” can carry the sense of “to follow in the pattern of.”

Thus, the poem may have been composed in a situation such as refusing a proposal, out of concern that, like Tanabata, one would come to meet only once a year and be left waiting for long periods.

Author

Sosei Hoshi

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

Year after year though they are said to meet thus— at Tanabata, the nights they lie together are but few in number.
Like threads once lent to the Weaver Maiden’s loom— drawn out and joined thus, shall this love endure so long, stretching through the passing years?
Now it must be so— as we part from one another, at Heaven’s River, before I even cross it, my sleeves are already wet.
From this day on, the yesterday of the year to come— must it be that I long only for that time, and wait for it unceasing?

The one who comes tonight— I will not meet with him; like Tanabata, I might be left to wait so long through such enduring time.

The one who comes tonight—
I will not meet with him;
like Tanabata,
I might be left to wait so long
through such enduring time.