On old branches
of autumn bush clover now bloom
flowers I behold—
and the heart I once had then
has not been forgotten yet.
- Meaning
- Seeing the flowers blooming on the old branches of bush clover, I realize that the feelings I once had have not been forgotten.
- Commentary
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Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)
Meeting by chance in an autumn field someone once intimately known, the poet composed this poem in the course of their conversation.
Just as flowers bloom upon old branches of bush clover, the poet’s former feelings for that person—likely a past lover—have come back to mind.
- Author
- Oshikochi no Mitsune
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Other
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- Through autumn bush clover, pushing down the tangled stems, the stag gives its cry— though unseen to the watching eye, its voice rings clear and sharp.
- When autumn bush clover has come now into bloom, on Takasago’s peak the stag upon the mountain must now be crying as well.
- From this very time when lower leaves of bush clover take on autumn hues, shall one who lies down alone find it ever hard to sleep?
- Do the passing geese as they cry across the sky shed their falling tears? On bush clover in this house where I brood, the drops of dew.