Koimarobi koi wa shinu tomo ichishiroku iro ni wa ideji asagao no hana

臥いまろび恋ひは死ぬともいちしろく
色には出でじ朝顔の花

Roma-ji: Koimarobi koi wa shinu tomo ichishiroku iro ni wa ideji asagao no hana
English Translation: Tossing, turning so,
though of love I come to die,
plainly for all to see
in my face it will not show,
like the morning-glory's bloom.
Meaning: Though I toss and turn and die of love, I will not let it show so plainly in my face as the asagao blossom shows its color.
Commentary: Book Ten Autumn Love Poems 2274

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Love Expressed Through Flowers"
This poem resolves that even if one dies of love, writhing in its pain, one will not let it show as plainly as the color of the asagao flower. The contrast between the fierce pain of love and the strong will not to show it is striking. Like 2255, "would I ever love so openly," it sings of the resolve of a hidden love that will not reveal itself.

The first line, "koimarobi," tossing and turning, shows the violent suffering of love.
In the second line, "koi wa shinu tomo," "tomo" marks a concessive supposition: even if I die of love.
The third line, "ichishiroku," means plainly.
In the fourth line, "iro ni wa ideji," "ji" expresses negative intention: I will not let it show. The poem breaks here.
The last line, "the asagao flower," is an inverted nominal ending, closing with the flower's vivid color.
Source: Manyoshu
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