忘らるる身はことわりと知りながら
思ひあへぬは涙なりけり
思ひあへぬは涙なりけり
- Roma-ji
-
Wasuraruru mi wa kotowari to shirinagara omoiaenu wa namida narikeri
- English Translation
-
That I am forgotten
is only right and proper,
this I understand —
yet what cannot accept it
turns out to be my tears
- Meaning
- I know it is only natural that I should be forgotten, yet my tears, it seems, cannot accept it.
- Commentary
-
Book Eight Love Poems II 265
The poet knows in her mind that it is only reasonable to be forgotten, yet her tears alone cannot accept it and fall regardless. Making tears the subject, the poem vividly captures the gap between reason and feeling.
The author, Sei Shonagon, served Empress Teishi, consort of Emperor Ichijo, and is known as the author of The Pillow Book.
The first line, "wasuraruru" (to be forgotten), uses the attributive passive "ru." The final poem of the book, 271, begins with the same line, repeating the lament of one who is forgotten.
The second line, "mi wa kotowari to," says it is only reasonable that she be forgotten.
The third line, "shirinagara," uses the concessive "nagara": though I know it.
The fourth line, "omoiaenu wa," means what cannot resign itself, singled out with "wa."
The final line, "namida narikeri," combines the copula "nari" and exclamatory "keri," ending with the realization that it is her tears that cannot accept it.
- Author
- Sei Shōnagon
- Source
- Shika Wakashu
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Ima yori wa toe tomo iwaji ware zo tada hito o wasururu koto o shiru beki