Nadeshiko ga sono hana ni moga asana sana te ni torimochite koinu hi nakemu

なでしこがその花にもが朝な朝な
手に取り持ちて恋ひぬ日なけむ

Roma-ji: Nadeshiko ga sono hana ni moga asana sana te ni torimochite koinu hi nakemu
English Translation: If only you were
the blossom of the pink flower!
Morning after morning
I would take you in my hand—
not a day but I'd love you.
Meaning: If only you were a pink blossom—every morning I would take you in my hands, and not a day would pass without my loving you.
Commentary: Book Three Allegorical Poems 408

Headnote: "A poem sent by Ōtomo no Sukune Yakamochi to the Elder Daughter of the same Sakanoue house"
This poem belongs to the section of Allegorical Poems in Book Three. It was sent to the Elder Daughter of the Sakanoue house. If you were a pink blossom, he says, not a day would pass without my taking you in my hands to love—entrusting to a flower his wish to keep his beloved always near. Following poem 403, where he likened her to a jewel, here he likens her to a pink.
The poet, Ōtomo no Yakamochi, was a son of Ōtomo no Tabito and a Nara-period official. He served as Governor of Etchū and of Inaba, among other posts, rose to Middle Counselor, and died in Enryaku 4 (785). He is thought to have been deeply involved in compiling the Man'yōshū.

First line "the blossom of the pink flower": nadeshiko, one of the seven autumn flowers, was loved for its delicate charm.
Second line "If only you were": moga is a particle of wishing; the sentence breaks here.
Third line "Morning after morning" means every morning.
Fourth line "I would take you in my hand" means holding the flower.
Fifth line "not a day but I'd love you" ends with the conjecture of mu.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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