Hitome ōmi awanaku nomi zo kokoro sae imo o wasurete waga omowanaku ni

人目多み逢はなくのみぞ心さへ
妹を忘れて我が思はなくに

Roma-ji: Hitome ōmi awanaku nomi zo kokoro sae imo o wasurete waga omowanaku ni
English Translation: Many are the eyes,
so it's only that we don't meet;
not in heart as well
have I forgotten you, my dear,
nor would I think of doing so
Meaning: It is only because so many eyes are watching that we do not meet; it is not that my heart has forgotten you.
Commentary: Book Four Love Poems 770

Headnote: "Five poems sent by Ōtomo no Sukune Yakamochi from the Kuni capital to the Elder Daughter of Sakanoue"
This is the first of five poems sent from the Kuni capital to the Elder Daughter. They do not meet only because there are so many watching eyes, he explains; his heart has not forgotten her.
The author, Ōtomo no Yakamochi, was the son of Ōtomo no Tabito and a poet thought to have been deeply involved in compiling the Man'yōshū. He later rose to the rank of Middle Counselor.

First line, "Many are the eyes," means because there are many watchers.
Second line, "so it's only that we don't meet," means it is only that we do not meet; the poem breaks after this line.
Third line, "not in heart as well," means even my heart.
Fourth line, "have I forgotten you, my dear," means forgetting you.
Fifth line, "nor would I think of doing so," means I do not think so, pleading that he has not forgotten.
Author: Otomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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