Imo ga ie ni sakitaru ume no itsumo itsumo narinamu toki ni koto wa sadamemu

妹が家に咲きたる梅のいつもいつも
なりなむ時に事は定めむ

Roma-ji: Imo ga ie ni sakitaru ume no itsumo itsumo narinamu toki ni koto wa sadamemu
English Translation: At my darling's house
the plum that has come to bloom—
when, oh when at last
it has ripened into fruit,
then we shall decide the thing.
Meaning: The plum in bloom at my beloved's house—when at last it bears fruit, then we will settle the matter.
Commentary: Book Three Allegorical Poems 398

Headnote: "Two poems on the plum by Fujiwara no Ason Yatsuka," with the note "Yatsuka's later name was Matate; he was the third son of Fusasaki"
This poem belongs to the section of Allegorical Poems in Book Three. The poet will settle matters when the plum blossoming at his beloved's house bears fruit. The plum's fruiting stands for love's fulfillment, marriage, and he hints that when that time comes he will make things clear. It forms a pair with the next poem.
The poet, Fujiwara no Yatsuka, was the third son of Fujiwara no Fusasaki. He later changed his name to Matate, rose to Great Counselor, and died in Tenpyō Jingo 2 (766).

First line "At my darling's house" has one syllable too many.
Second line "the plum that has come to bloom" means the blossoming plum.
Third line "when, oh when at last": itsumo itsumo expresses his waiting for the plum to fruit.
Fourth line "it has ripened into fruit" stands for the time love is fulfilled.
Fifth line "then we shall decide the thing": mu expresses intention.
Author: Fujiwara no Yatsuka
Source: Manyoshu
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