Though where I lie alone
is no bed of grass and leaves—
on autumn nights,
it seems as though it is wet
with the dew that settles there.

Meaning

Though the bed where I sleep alone is not made of grass and leaves, on autumn nights it feels as though it is damp with dew.

Commentary

Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)

This poem is likely composed by a woman. The bed is likened to grass damp with dew, expressing how it is made wet by tears shed in loneliness. The “dew” upon the bed suggests tears shed while waiting for a loved one, and such feeling is all the stronger in solitude.

“Grass,” “dew,” and “autumn” are all associated words that reinforce one another.

Author

Unknown Poet

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

Not for me alone does the coming autumn arrive— yet when I hear the voices of the insects, at once my heart grows sad.
In all things alike autumn is full of sorrow— as leaves turn to red, and pass away in their change, we feel it marks their end.
At no set time are such thoughts confined—yet still, on autumn nights, they reach their utmost depth, with no end to pondering.
On such a night that I would cherish so deeply— to pass it in vain, sleeping it through till morning— even such people seem distasteful.

Though where I lie alone is no bed of grass and leaves— on autumn nights, it seems as though it is wet with the dew that settles there.

Though where I lie alone
is no bed of grass and leaves—
on autumn nights,
it seems as though it is wet
with the dew that settles there.