Tsukushibune imada mo koneba arakajime araburu kimi o miru ga kanashisa

筑紫船いまだも来ねばあらかじめ
荒ぶる君を見るが悲しさ

Roma-ji: Tsukushibune imada mo koneba arakajime araburu kimi o miru ga kanashisa
English Translation: Though the Tsukushi boat
has not even come as yet,
already, beforehand,
you grow distant, and to see it,
oh, the sadness of it all
Meaning: The ship for Tsukushi has not yet come, yet already I see you growing distant, and how it saddens me.
Commentary: Book Four Love Poems 556

Headnote: "A poem sent by Princess Kamo to Ōtomo no Sukune Miyori; she was a daughter of the late Minister of the Left, Prince Nagaya"
Princess Kamo, daughter of Prince Nagaya, sent this poem to Ōtomo no Miyori as he was leaving for a post in Tsukushi. Even before the ship for Tsukushi has come, she grieves to see him already growing distant. It keenly senses the estrangement that begins before the parting itself.
The author, Princess Kamo, was according to the headnote's note a daughter of the late Minister of the Left, Prince Nagaya. The recipient, Ōtomo no Miyori, was an official thought to be a son of Ōtomo no Miyuki.

First line, "Though the Tsukushi boat," names a ship bound for Tsukushi, or coming from there.
Second line, "has not even come as yet," means though it has not yet come; -neba is used here with concessive force.
Third line, "already, beforehand," means in advance, already now.
Fourth line, "you grow distant, and to see it," uses arabu, "to grow estranged": you whose heart is drifting away.
Fifth line, "oh, the sadness of it all," means how sad it is to see, ending on a noun to deepen the lament.
Author: Princess Kamo
Source: Manyoshu
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