Sankashū I: 93

On viewing blossom after growing old.

おもひいでになにをかせましこの春の花まちつけぬ我が身なりせば

omoi’ide ni
nani o ka semashi
kono haru no
hana machitsukenu
wagami nariseba

As a memory
What should I take,
If this spring
Unable to wait for the blossom
Were my sorry self?

Waka Poetry