Umoregi wa naka mushibamu to iu mereba Kumeji no hashi wa kokoro shite yuke - Shui Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

埋もれ木はなか虫食むといふめれば
久米路の橋は心して行け

Roma-ji: Umoregi wa naka mushibamu to iu mereba Kumeji no hashi wa kokoro shite yuke
English Translation: Buried logs, they say,
are eaten by worms within,
so it seems, and so
on the bridge of Kumeji
take great care in crossing.
Meaning: They say a buried log is eaten by worms inside, so take care as you cross the bridge of Kumeji.
Commentary: Book Nineteen Miscellaneous Love Poems 1237

Headnote: "Topic unknown"
The poet says that a buried log is said to be eaten by worms inside, so one should cross the bridge of Kumeji with care. Bringing in the stone bridge of Kume, which the god of Katsuragi is said to have begun but never finished, and pivoting on "naka," the inside of the wood and the bond between people, it warns that there may be hidden troubles in the bond between the two, so the other should come with care.

First line, "umoregi wa," means "a log long buried" in earth or water.
Second line, "naka mushibamu to," is a pivot word: "naka" means the "inside" of the wood and the "bond" between people. It layers worms eating the inside with trouble within the bond.
Third line, "iu mereba," means "since they seem to say," with "mere" the perfective form of the auxiliary of inference "meri" and "ba" expressing cause.
Fourth line, "Kumeji no hashi wa," means "the stone bridge of Kume" in Yamato, the bridge of legend that the god of Katsuragi began but never finished.
Final line, "kokoro shite yuke," means "take care as you cross," closing on the imperative.
Author: Unknown Poet
Source: Shui Wakashu
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