One Thousand Summers

May I find the moon somewhere in the clouds, before this short summer night fully breaks.*

In the  quiet  spring sunlight cherry’s new blossoms in a whirlwind of petals descend. *  

So the flower has wilted during the long spring rains, just as my beauty has faded during my forlorn years in this world.

Composed on falling snow − Ki no Tsurayuki 紀貫之   Enshrouded in mists trees come into bud, for spring snow falls, flowers scatter even in villages where no flower blooms  yet .

In order for us to find our way home, the plum blossoms still smell the same.

The hazy early morning light comes not from the moon but  from the crystal white snow of Yoshino.

A mountain village grows lonesome every winter when people and grasses grow scarce.

For you, I head out to the fields to pick spring greens while snow falls upon my sleeves.

Gust of wind carries leaves from the trees, giving the name of storm to the mountain wind.    

My own home is a retreat laying southeast of the capital ,  where I can hide from the troubles of this world.

Impassionate gods have never seen crimson that lies in the Tatsuta River.

Note that though we may be apart, if I am to hear that you pine for me as the Inaba mountain pines, I shall return to you.