Wabibito wa ukiyo no naka ni ikeraji to omou koto sae kanawazarikeri - Shui Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

侘び人は憂き世の中に生けらじと
思ふ事さへかなはざりけり

Roma-ji: Wabibito wa ukiyo no naka ni ikeraji to omou koto sae kanawazarikeri
English Translation: The one in despair,
within this world of sorrows,
resolved not to live—
even that which he desires
is something he cannot have.
Meaning: For one in despair, even the wish not to go on living in this sorrowful world is something that cannot be granted.
Commentary: Book Eight Miscellaneous Poems I 505

Headnote: "In reply to someone who sent word of sympathy, at a time when I had applied for a post and not received it"
The poet says that for one in despair, even the resolve not to go on living in this sorrowful world cannot be fulfilled. The headnote shows it was a reply to someone who sent words of sympathy at a time when he had applied for a post and not received it. Lamenting that not only the post he wanted but even his wish to abandon the world is denied him, he expresses a double despair. Following the two preceding poems, it laments misfortune in official life, sharing the word "ukiyo" with 481 and 504 of this book.
The author, Minamoto no Kageakira, was a mid-Heian official and poet, but the details of his life are unclear.

First line, "wabibito wa," means "one in despair," referring to the poet himself.
Second line, "ukiyo no naka ni," means "in this sorrowful world."
Third line, "ikeraji to," means "that I will not live," with "ji" an auxiliary of negative intention.
Fourth line, "omou koto sae," means "even what I wish," with "sae" a particle of addition, implying "not only the post."
Final line, "kanawazarikeri," means "cannot be granted, I find," with "keri" expressing a sigh of realization.
Author: Minamoto no Kageakira
Source: Shui Wakashu
Prev Poem: Ukiyo ni wa yuki kakurenade kakikumori furu wa omoi no hoka ni mo aru kana
Next Poem: Yo no naka ni aranu tokoro mo eteshigana toshi furinitaru katachi kakusamu