if the scent of plum
mingled with the fallen snow
resting on the ground—
who then could clearly discern
and pluck each one apart

Meaning

If the scent of plum were to mingle with the snow lying upon the ground, who could then distinguish and pluck them apart?

Commentary

Book Six Winter Poems

This poem describes plum blossoms among the snow.

Normally, one can distinguish the white plum blossoms from the white snow by their fragrance; yet if that scent were to mingle even with the snow, it would become impossible to tell flower from snow. Though in reality snow cannot take on fragrance, the poet suggests that if the plum’s scent were strong enough, both snow and blossoms would blend together, to be enjoyed as one abundant mass of plum.

Author

Ki no Tsurayuki

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

plum blossoms or not they cannot be told apart now— from the distant sky thick-clouding snow falls everywhere covering all in equal white
though the hue of flowers blends with snow and cannot be seen still let their fragrance drift and softly make them known so that people may perceive
when the snow falls down on every tree flowers seem to bloom— upon each single one which of them is truly plum how could I discern and pluck
though the year I do not wait has now come round at last again like winter withered grass— the one who has gone away sends not even a word of news

if the scent of plum mingled with the fallen snow resting on the ground— who then could clearly discern and pluck each one apart

if the scent of plum
mingled with the fallen snow
resting on the ground—
who then could clearly discern
and pluck each one apart