parting them with my steps,
shall I go yet further on,
to pay a visit—
though I see the path ahead
hidden by the falling leaves

Meaning

Parting the fallen leaves as I go, shall I press on to visit, though I see the path hidden beneath them?

Commentary

Book Five Autumn Poems (Part Two)

The person who dwells at the place to be visited seems to have withdrawn from the world and lives in seclusion. As if even the falling leaves had taken the master’s intent, they conceal the path to the house, and the poet hesitates, wondering whether he should proceed.

In contrast to the preceding poem, which expresses the feelings of one who waits, this poem presents the thoughts of one who comes to visit.

Author

Unknown Poet

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

unable to withstand the autumn wind, they scatter— maple leaves that fall; like them, with no fixed course, my own path fills me with grief
autumn has now come; fallen leaves lie thick at my door— maples strewn below; yet no one comes, parting them, treading through to visit me
the autumn moonlight clearly lights the mountain side— is it so that I may behold and count them all, these falling maple leaves?
the blowing autumn wind seemed in many varied hues— so it appeared; it is but the falling leaves of the trees in autumn time

parting them with my steps, shall I go yet further on, to pay a visit— though I see the path ahead hidden by the falling leaves

parting them with my steps,
shall I go yet further on,
to pay a visit—
though I see the path ahead
hidden by the falling leaves