Samo araba are kureyuku haru mo kumo no ue ni chiru koto shiranu hana shi niowaba - Shin Kokin Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

さもあらばあれ暮れゆく春も雲の上に
散ること知らぬ花しにほはば

Roma-ji: Samo araba are kureyuku haru mo kumo no ue ni chiru koto shiranu hana shi niowaba
English Translation: Let it be as it may—
even the spring that is ending—
if above the clouds
there are blossoms that know not
how to scatter, glowing on.
Meaning: Let the spring pass away as it will, if within the palace, above the clouds, there are blossoms that never know how to fall.
Commentary: Book Sixteen Miscellaneous Poems I 1463

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "When the courtiers composed poems in His Majesty's presence on the spirit of 'Delighting in Newly Made Cherry Blossoms,' in the reign of Emperor Go-Reizei."
This is the thirteenth poem of the sequence on the cherry. If blossoms that never know how to scatter glow within the palace, the poet says, let the waning spring do as it will. The headnote continues from the preceding poem: it was composed before Emperor Go-Reizei on the topic "Delighting in Newly Made Cherry Blossoms."
The author, "Major Counselor Tsunenobu," was the son of Provisional Middle Counselor Minamoto no Michikata. He rose to Major Counselor and in his last years died at his post as Provisional Governor-General of Dazaifu. He was the father of Minamoto no Toshiyori.
The topic "Delighting in Newly Made Cherry Blossoms" is understood to mean enjoying newly fashioned cherry blossoms, that is, artificial ones.

The first line, "samo araba are," means "let it be as it may," a hypermetric opening that declares the point forcefully.
The second line, "kureyuku haru mo," refers to the spring that is passing away. The late spring, normally to be mourned, is here dismissed as of no matter.
In the third line, "kumo no ue ni," "above the clouds" means the palace. A hypermetric line, it points to His Majesty's presence where the artificial cherry was set.
The fourth line, "chiru koto shiranu," refers to blossoms that do not know how to scatter, taking up "chiranu bakari zo" of the preceding poem. On the same topic, whereas the preceding poem made not scattering the sign that tells them apart, this poem makes it a joy surpassing the close of spring.
In the last line, "hana shi niowaba," "shi" is an emphatic particle and "ba" expresses supposition. Placing the condition last in inverted order—if unfading blossoms glow in the palace—it celebrates the everlasting reign.
Author: Minamoto no Tsunenobu
Source: Shin Kokin Wakashu
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