Composed on seeing cherry blossom flowing along the stream in the grounds of the Palace of the Crown Prince.
枝よりもあだにちりにし花なればおちても水の泡とこそなれ
| eda yori mo ada ni tirinisi Fana nareba otitemo midu no awa to koso nare | From the branch Have simply scattered These blossoms, so they are Fallen, yet the waters’ Foam have they become. |
Sugano no Takayo
A poem sent in return by the Daughter of Saeki sukune Akamaro.
ちはやぶる神の社しなかりせば春日の野辺に粟蒔かましを
| tipayaburu kami no yasiro si nakariseba kasuga no nope ni apa makamasi wo | If the mighty Gods’ shrines Did not exist, then On the plains at Kasuga Would I sow foxtail millet. |
When Ki no Toshisada was sent to Awa as Vice-Governor, Narihira planned a farewell banquet for him. On the day he was due to depart, Toshisada kept rushing about here and there and, when he did not appear, even though it was late at night, Narihira sent this to him.
今ぞ知るくるしき物と人またむ里をば離れず訪ふべかりけり
| ima zo siru kurusiki mono to Fito matamu sato woba karezu toFubekarikeri |
Now I know well The pain of it; When someone awaits me At their home, I’ll not stay away But pay my call, as I should. |
Ariwara no Narihira
有原業平