Shiramayumi ima haruyama ni yuku kumo no yuki ya wakaremu koishiki mono o

白真弓今春山に行く雲の
行きや別れむ恋しきものを

Roma-ji: Shiramayumi ima haruyama ni yuku kumo no yuki ya wakaremu koishiki mono o
English Translation: White spindlewood bow,
now across the hills of spring
like the drifting clouds,
must we part and go our ways,
though I long for you so much?
Meaning: Like the clouds that drift now over the spring hills, must we part and go our separate ways—though I long for you so?
Commentary: Book Ten Spring Love Poems 1923

Headnote: "Love Expressed Through Clouds"
This poem sings of the sorrow of having to part from a beloved, like clouds drifting away over the spring hills. Its headnote is "Love Expressed Through Clouds." The image of clouds moving off beyond the hills impresses the inevitability of parting and the reluctance to let go. The last line is read "koishiki mono o," pleading the strength of longing.

The first line, "shiramayumi," a bow of white spindlewood, is a pillow word for "spring" from "haru," to draw a bow.
The second line, "now to the spring hills," sets time and place.
The third line, "the drifting clouds," with the upper lines forming a preface leading into "yuki," going.
In the fourth line, "yuki ya wakaremu," "ya" is an interrogative particle in kakari-musubi with the attributive "mu," lamenting: must we go and part?
In the last line, "koishiki mono o," "mono o" is a conjunctive particle of contrast and exclamation, closing with the lament: though I long for you.
Source: Manyoshu
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