三国山木末に住まふむささびの
鳥待つごとく我れ待ち痩せむ
鳥待つごとく我れ待ち痩せむ
- Roma-ji
-
Mikuniyama konure ni sumau musasabi no tori matsu gotoku ware machi yasemu
- English Translation
-
On Mount Mikuni
dwelling in the treetops high,
like the flying squirrel
lying in wait for birds,
so waiting, I will waste away
- Meaning
- Like the flying squirrel living in the treetops of Mount Mikuni, waiting for birds, I too will waste away with waiting.
- Commentary
-
Book Seven Allegorical Poems 1367
Headnote: "On Beasts"
The poet says that, like the flying squirrel in the treetops of Mount Mikuni waiting for birds, he too will waste away with waiting. His endless waiting for the beloved's visit is likened to the flying squirrel lying in wait for its prey.
It is the only poem under the heading "On Beasts." The location of Mount Mikuni is disputed. The poet is unknown.
The first line names Mount Mikuni, whose location is disputed.
The second line, "dwelling in the treetops high," describes where the creature lives.
The third line names the flying squirrel.
The fourth line, "lying in wait for birds," completes the comparison that leads into the final line.
The final line, "so waiting, I will waste away," states the poet's own fate.
- Source
- Manyoshu
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