He had planted some plum trees with crimson blossoms in his garden and, when they were late to bloom the following Spring…
宿ちかく移して植へしかひもなく待ち遠にのみにほふ花哉
| yado tikaku utusite uFesi kaFi mo naku matidowo ni nomi niFoFu Fana kana |
Closer to my home I brought them and replanted, But to no avail; All they do is keep me waiting, Those lustrous flowers! |
Fujiwara no Kanesuke (877-933)
On the occasion of a Ne no bi celebration by His Majesty, Retired Emperor Suzaku (923-952; r. 930-946), being unwell and unable to attend, he sent Lord [Minamoto no] Nobumitsu (923-998) this poem.
松もなき若菜もつまず成ぬるを何時しか櫻はやも咲かなむ
| matu mo naki wakana mo tumazu narinuru wo itusika sakura Faya mo sakanamu |
Not a pine Nor a young shoot have I plucked That’s all that’s come of today; How I wish the cherries Would bloom more quickly! |
The Minister of the Left [Fujiwara no Saneyori (900-970)]