岩間をも分けくる滝の水をいかで
散り積む花のせきとどむらん
散り積む花のせきとどむらん
- Roma-ji
-
Iwama o mo wakekuru taki no mizu o ikade chiritsumu hana no sekitodomuran
- English Translation
-
The cascade's waters
that push their way even through
the cracks in the rocks,
how is it that they are dammed
by the fallen, heaped-up flowers?
- Meaning
- How can the fallen, heaped-up blossoms dam the waters of a cascade that forces its way even between the rocks?
- Commentary
-
Book One Spring Poems 67
Headnote: "Topic unknown"
The poet marvels at the abundance of blossoms, wondering how the fallen petals heaped up can dam the rushing waters of a cascade that forces its way even between the rocks. The contrast between the powerful flow of water and the frail petals creates the surprise.
First line, "iwama o mo," means "even between the rocks," with "mo" adding emphasis.
Second line, "wakekuru taki no," means "of the cascade that pushes its way through the rocks."
Third line, "mizu o ikade," with "ikade" expressing a question, has an extra syllable.
Fourth line, "chiritsumu hana no," means "of the petals that have fallen and piled up."
Final line, "sekitodomuran," with "sekitodomu" meaning to dam, and "ran" an auxiliary conjecturing the cause.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Shui Wakashu
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