Aimizute ke nagaku narinu kono koro wa ika ni sakiku ya ibukashi wagimo

相見ずて日長くなりぬこの頃は
いかに幸くやいふかし我妹

Roma-ji: Aimizute ke nagaku narinu kono koro wa ika ni sakiku ya ibukashi wagimo
English Translation: Since we last have met
many days have passed us by;
in these days of late
how, I wonder, do you fare;
I am anxious, dearest one
Meaning: Many days have passed since we last met; how are you faring these days? I worry about you, my dear.
Commentary: Book Four Love Poems 648

Headnote: "A poem by Ōtomo no Sukune Surugamaro"
Many days have passed without meeting, so he wonders anxiously whether she is well. Turning from the earlier exchange of reproaches, it shows a warm concern for her.
The author, Ōtomo no Surugamaro, was an official thought to be a grandson of Ōtomo no Miyuki, and he became the husband of Lady Sakanoue's younger daughter.

First line, "Since we last have met," means without seeing each other.
Second line, "many days have passed us by," reads the character for day as ke: the days have grown long. The poem breaks after this line; it echoes "the long days" of poem 484 at the head of the book.
Third line, "in these days of late," means these days.
Fourth line, "how, I wonder, do you fare," uses sakiku, "safe and well": how are you keeping?
Fifth line, "I am anxious, dearest one," uses ibukashi, "anxious, uneasy," closing with a call to her.
Author: Ōtomo no Surugamaro
Source: Manyoshu
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