When he was travelling after leaving the world, he composed this on seeing the moon over the sea.
わたのはら遙に波をへだて來て都にいでし月を見るかな
| wata no Fara Faruka ni nami wo Fedate kite miyako ni idesi tuki wo miru kana |
Across the wide sea’s sweep From afar the waves Come one by one; When the capital I left That is the moon I saw. |
The Monk En’i
When various people were composing ten poems each about love, he composed this on a lover who comes, but will not stay.
玉津島きしうつ浪の立ち歸りせないでましぬ名殘寂しも
| tamatusima kisi utu nami no tatikaFeri sena idemasinu nagori sabisimo |
The jewelled island Coast-striking waves Rise and then return, Even so my man departs; How sad for him to leave me. |
Master of the Palace Repairs Office [Fujiwara no] Akisue
When he was travelling into the Eastlands, the further he went, the more he missed what he had left behind; while crossing a river and watching the waves:
いとゞしく過ぎゆく方の戀しきにうら山しくも歸浪哉
| itodosiku sugiyuku kata no koFisiki ni urayamasiku mo kaFeru nami kana |
More and more All that is behind me Is what I long for; How I envy The returning waves. |
Narihira
業平
When she felt that a man’s feelings were becoming more and more chilly:
心からうきたる舟に乘りそめて一日も涙に濡れぬ日ぞなき
| kokoro kara ukitaru Fune ni norisomete FitoFi mo nami ni nurenu Fi zo naki |
Upon my breast Floats a boat of heartbreak And I have just embarked; There’s not a single day when waves Do not soak my sleeves. |
Komachi
小町