Awashima ni kogiwataramu to omoedomo akashi no tonami imada sawakeri

粟島に漕ぎ渡らむと思へども
明石の門波いまだ騒けり

Roma-ji: Awashima ni kogiwataramu to omoedomo akashi no tonami imada sawakeri
English Translation: To Awa Island
I would row across, I think,
and yet I see
in the strait of Akashi
the waves are raging still
Meaning: I mean to row across to Awa Island, but the waves in the Akashi Strait are still churning.
Commentary: Book Seven Miscellaneous Poems 1207

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed on Journeys"
The poet laments that though he means to row across to Awa Island, the waves in the Akashi Strait are still too rough to cross. The frustration of a voyage held back from setting out is expressed.
It is regarded as coming from the Old Collection. The "gate" of Akashi is the Akashi Strait, a dangerous passage with fast currents. The location of Awa Island is disputed. The poet is unknown.

The first line names Awa Island, whose location is disputed.
The second line, "I would row across," states the intention.
The third line, "I think, and yet," is concessive.
In the fourth line, "to" means a strait: the waves of the Akashi Strait.
In the final line, "ri" is stative: "they are still raging."
Source: Manyoshu
Prev Poem: Okitsu nami hetsumo makimochi yosekutomo kimi ni masareru tama yoseme ya mo
Next Poem: Imo ni koi waga koeyukeba se no yama no imo ni koizute aru ga tomoshisa