Omoiizuru koto wa itsu to mo iinagara tsuki ni wa taenu kokoro narikeri

思ひ出づることはいつともいひながら
月にはたえぬ心なりけり

Roma-ji: Omoiizuru koto wa itsu to mo iinagara tsuki ni wa taenu kokoro narikeri
English Translation: Remembering you
is not at one time or another,
so I say, and yet
before the moon it is a heart
that cannot bear it, I find.
Meaning: I say I remember you at no particular time, for I do so always, yet before the moon my heart cannot bear it.
Commentary: Love Poems 626

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "The moon"
Remembering the beloved is not tied to any particular time; the poet thinks of her always. Even so, when he looks at the moon, his feelings overflow until he cannot bear them. He confirms once more that the moon stirs his longing all the more.

First line, “omoiizuru”: remembering the beloved; the first line has six syllables, one too many.
Second line, “koto wa itsu to mo”: not at any one time, but always.
Third line, “iinagara”: nagara is concessive: though one may say so.
Fourth line, “tsuki ni wa taenu”: tau is to bear: before the moon I cannot bear it; this answers the topic.
Fifth line, “kokoro narikeri”: narikeri marks realization: such is my heart, I find.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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