Hitotose ni futatabi sakanu hana nareba mube chiru koto o hito wa iikeri - Gosen Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

一年に二度咲かぬ花なれば
むべ散ることを人は言ひけり

Roma-ji: Hitotose ni futatabi sakanu hana nareba mube chiru koto o hito wa iikeri
English Translation: Since within one year
they never bloom a second time,
these flowers, it's no wonder
that people speak so often
of their scattering away
Meaning: Since the blossoms never bloom twice in a single year, it is no wonder that people talk so much of their falling.
Commentary: Book Three Spring Poems III 109

Headnote: "Topic unknown."
Since flowers do not bloom twice in a year, the poet realizes, it is only natural that people speak so much in regret of their falling. Through the word "mube," indeed, he conveys his sudden understanding of why people mourn the falling flowers.
The poet, Ariwara no Motokata, was a son of Ariwara no Muneyana and a grandson of Ariwara no Narihira. He is counted among the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets of the middle ages.

The first line, "Hitotose ni," means "within one year." 97 of this book also begins with "Hitotose ni" and shares the word "futatabi." Whereas 97 imagines spring coming twice a year, this poem accepts as reason that flowers do not bloom twice, forming a pair.
The second line, "futatabi sakanu," means "never blooming a second time."
The third line, "hana nareba," means "since they are flowers," giving the reason.
In the fourth line, "mube" means "indeed, no wonder," showing agreement with what people say.
In the last line, "keri" expresses a sigh of realization, as he grasps why people have spoken in regret of the falling flowers.
Author: Ariwara no Motokata
Source: Gosen Wakashu
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