Chiranu ma wa hana o tomo nite suginubeshi haru yori nochi no shiru hito mo gana - Kinyo Wakashu(English Translation & Meaning)

散らぬ間は花を友にて過ぎぬべし
春より後の知る人もがな

Roma-ji: Chiranu ma wa hana o tomo nite suginubeshi haru yori nochi no shiru hito mo gana
English Translation: While they do not fall,
with the blossoms as my friends
I can pass the days;
but for after spring is gone
how I wish for someone near
Meaning: As long as the blossoms do not fall, I can pass my days with them as companions; but I wish I had a friend for the time after spring is over.
Commentary: Book One Spring Poems 39

While the blossoms last the poet can spend his days with them as companions, but he longs for a friend to console him once they have fallen. Suggesting a solitary life with flowers as friends, it anticipates the loneliness after spring.

First line, 'chiranu ma wa', means as long as the flowers do not scatter.
Second line, 'hana o tomo nite', means with the flowers as friends, hinting at a life without human companions.
Third line, 'suginubeshi', means I shall surely get by, and the poem breaks after the third line.
Fourth line, 'haru yori nochi no', means after spring has passed.
Final line, 'shiru hito mo gana', means I wish there were someone close to me, with the desiderative mogana.
Source: Kinyo Wakashu
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