Rather than alone
gazing on you in longing,
maidenflower fair,
I would that I might plant you
within the dwelling where I live.

Meaning

Rather than gazing alone in longing, maidenflower, I would wish to transplant you into the dwelling where I live.

Commentary

Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)

Composed and presented at the maidenflower contest held at the Suzaku-in.

Though it speaks of wishing to transplant the maidenflower to one’s own dwelling, it suggests a longing for a woman: rather than gazing in solitary yearning, the poet wishes to bring her into his own home. The auxiliary "mashi" in "mimashi o" indicates a hypothetical, unrealizable wish.

Author

Mibu no Tadamine

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

Autumn wind that blows past the maidenflowers comes on— though unseen to eyes, its fragrance alone reveals clearly that it has passed by.
seen by others is it so hard to bear— the maidenflower that in the autumn mist alone seems ever to hide itself
maidenflower fair— how it troubles my heart so, to see it thus stand alone within a dwelling fallen into desolation.
not yet sated with flowers— why should one think to return? maidenflower fair, in this field where you abound I would that I might lie the night.

Rather than alone gazing on you in longing, maidenflower fair, I would that I might plant you within the dwelling where I live.

Rather than alone
gazing on you in longing,
maidenflower fair,
I would that I might plant you
within the dwelling where I live.