One Thousand Summers

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.

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.

As my love first came to realisation, word had already spread.

When the frosty* bridge of magpie feather comes into sight, the night is nearly past. 

Impassioned vows exchanged over many a tear shed to  last until the day waves crash over Mount Suenomatsu.

Since I could not hide my love, people would ask if I was pining for someone.

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

The sight of the lonely moon in the early morning reminds me of the lonely dawns after we parted.