One Thousand Summers

Nights of love unforgotten in mourning tears of a curious hue.

Although I never knew the ways of letters, Buddhist Novice (Renshō) has carefully insisted that I write the poem cartouches  for sliding doors of Saga Chūin. Even though they are awfully unsightly, written half-heartedly, I am sending them away. From the ancient times, a poem from every poet, from Emperor Tenji ( 1 )  to Ietaka ( 2 )  and Masatsune ( 3 ) .

As I wait for someone who will never come, my body burns like the seaweed drying on the shores of Matsuho.