One day at a memorial service for someone at the Lower Izumo Temple, he listened to the Monk Shinsei giving a sermon, composed this and sent it to Ono no Komachi.
つつめども袖にたまらぬ白玉は人を見ぬめの涙なりけり
tutumedomo sode ni tamaranu siratama Fa Fito wo minu me no namida narikeri |
I may wrap them up, but In my sleeve, they will not stay, These white jewels, Shed for a lady I cannot glimpse Are my tears. |
Abe no Kiyoyuki (825-900)