Yamabuki no hana torimochite tsure mo naku karenishi imo o shinoitsuru kamo

山吹の花取り持ちてつれもなく
離れにし妹を偲ひつるかも

Roma-ji: Yamabuki no hana torimochite tsure mo naku karenishi imo o shinoitsuru kamo
English Translation: Yellow kerria
flowers I take in my hand,
and you, who so coldly
went away and left me here,
how I long for you now
Meaning: Taking yellow kerria flowers in my hand, I find myself longing for you, who went away from me so coldly.
Commentary: Book Nineteen 4184

Headnote: "A poem sent from the capital"
Sent from the capital to Etchū, the poem says that, holding yellow kerria flowers, the writer longs for "you" who went away so coldly. "Imo" is thought to refer to Yakamochi's wife, Lady Sakanoue the Elder, who had gone down to Etchū, and the poem expresses the longing of one left in the capital for one who has departed.
The left note says, "The above was sent on the fifth day of the fourth month by the lady who remained in the capital," and according to the left note of 4197 in this book, this lady was Yakamochi's younger sister. The reproachful phrase "went away so coldly" carries an affectionate sulkiness born of intimacy.
The poet, called the lady who remained in the capital, was a daughter of Ōtomo no Tabito and Yakamochi's younger sister, who stayed behind in the capital. Her name has not come down to us.

First line, "yamabuki no" (of the kerria), names the shrub that blooms yellow in late spring, placing at the head a flower that marks the season and calls up longing.
Second line, "hana torimochite" (taking the flowers in hand), shows the act of holding them, setting a scene of thinking of someone while looking at flowers.
Third line, "tsure mo naku" (so coldly), means heartlessly or curtly, holding a light reproach toward the one who left.
Fourth line, "karenishi imo o" (you who went away): "karu" means to draw away, referring to Lady Sakanoue the Elder, who left for Etchū.
Fifth line, "shinoitsuru kamo" (how I long for you): "kamo" is exclamatory, closing with the expression of longing.
Author: Younger sister of Ōtomo no Yakamochi
Source: Manyoshu
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