Eikyū hyakushu 178

Summer Insects (夏虫)

ともし火に入る夏虫のはかなさを身にたとへてもあかしつるかな

tomoshibi ni
iru natsumushi no
hakanasa o
mi ni tatoetemo
akashitsuru kana

Into the torches
Plunge the summer insects:
Their brief lives
Compared to mine
Brought more brightness!

Toshiyori

Waka Poetry