even in this stream
crimson leaves are flowing down—
from the deep mountains
the water from melting snow
must now have greatly swelled

Meaning

Even in this river crimson leaves are flowing—the waters from melting snow in the deep mountains must now have grown stronger.

Commentary

Book Six Winter Poems

The poet is struck with surprise to see autumn leaves still flowing, though their season should have passed, and reflects on the cause.

The increased flow is attributed to snowmelt from the deep mountains. Although “water from melting snow” often suggests early spring, here it can be understood as winter snow that does not settle but melts and runs off, carrying the lingering leaves with it.

Author

Unknown Poet

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

from this moment on may it go on falling still— in my humble yard pressing down the silver grass the white snow that has begun
the falling snow must be melting even as it falls— for from the mountain the sound of rushing waters grows ever louder now
my old dwelling lies so near to Mount Yoshino— not even a day passes without falling snow gracing it from the heavens
at my humble dwelling snow falls thick and deep, and now no path can be seen— for there is no one at all to come and tread a way here

even in this stream crimson leaves are flowing down— from the deep mountains the water from melting snow must now have greatly swelled

even in this stream
crimson leaves are flowing down—
from the deep mountains
the water from melting snow
must now have greatly swelled