Areba tote tanomarenu kana asu wa mata kinō to kyō o iwaru bekereba

あればとて頼まれぬかな明日はまた
昨日と今日を言はるべければ

Roma-ji: Areba tote tanomarenu kana asu wa mata kinō to kyō o iwaru bekereba
English Translation: Being here today,
still I cannot count on it,
for tomorrow, once more,
this very today will be
spoken of as yesterday.
Meaning: Just because I am alive today, I cannot count on it, for tomorrow this today will surely be spoken of as yesterday.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 766

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Topic unknown"
One cannot rely on being alive just because one is alive today, for tomorrow this today will be called yesterday, the poet says. In the passing of time that turns even today into the past, he sees how little life can be relied on. 'Tanomarenu' takes up 'tanomi mo naki' from the preceding poem.

First line, “areba tote”: just because I am alive.
Second line, “tanomarenu kana”: re expresses possibility, I cannot rely on it, taking up the preceding 'tanomi mo naki'; the poem breaks here.
Third line, “asu wa mata”: tomorrow, again.
Fourth line, “kinō to kyō o”: today as yesterday, the two set side by side to show time's passing.
Fifth line, “iwaru bekereba”: bekere is the perfective of beshi; since it will surely be said so, inverted to give the reason.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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