Isonokami Furu no takahashi furinu to mo mototsu hito ni wa koi ya wataramu

石上ふるの高橋古りぬとも
元つ人には恋や渡らむ

Roma-ji: Isonokami Furu no takahashi furinu to mo mototsu hito ni wa koi ya wataramu
English Translation: Isonokami—
though the high bridge at Furu
should grow old and worn,
for the one I loved of old
shall I go on longing still?
Meaning: Though the high bridge at Furu in Isonokami may grow old, shall I go on longing still for the one I loved long ago?
Commentary: Love Poems 455

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Composed on the theme of love at famous places"
Though years pass and the high bridge at Furu in Isonokami grows old, the poet will go on loving his old love unchanged. From the place name Furu he draws furu, "to grow old."
Kamo no Mabuchi marked this poem with a circle.

Line 1, Isonokami, a place in Yamato, is a pillow word for Furu.
Line 2 names the high bridge over the Furu River, with a pun on furu, "to age."
Line 3 means "though it grows old," echoing furu in line 2.
Line 4 means "for the one of old."
Line 5 is the same last line as the two preceding poems, echoing also the crossing of a bridge.
Author: Minamoto no Sanetomo
Source: Kinkaishu
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