[One of] five poems sent by the Elder Maiden of Nakatomi to Yakamochi, Lord Ōtomo.
をみなへし佐紀沢に生ふる花かつみかつても知らぬ恋もするかも
wominapesi
sakisapa ni opuru
panakatumi
katute mo siranu
kopi mo suru kamo |
A maidenflower as,
At Saki Marsh grows
The crested iris
Still unknown is
The love I feel. |
Elder Maiden of Nakatomi
中臣郎女
A poem sent by the Elder Maiden of Nakatomi to Ōtomo, sukune Yakamochi.
いなと言はば強ひめや我が背菅の根の思ひ乱れて恋ひつつもあらむ
ina ipaba
sipime ya wa ga se
suga no ne no
omopimidarete
koitutu mo aramu |
Should you tell me no,
Should I pointlessly implore you?
As the sedge-roots
In a tangle of passion
Will I ever love you! |
The Elder Maiden of Nakatomi
中臣郎女
'Simply moving and elegant'