Year
My Translation
By Lady Izumi Shikibu (976? – 1020)
By Lady Izumi Shikibu (976? – 1020)
Soon, we will not be
In this world together
And all will be a memory:
Now, for just a moment,
How I wish to meet.
Original Japanese | Pronunciation |
和泉式部 | Izumi Shikibu |
あらざらむ | Arazaran |
この世の外の | Kono yo no hoka no |
思ひ出に | Omoide ni |
今ひとたびの | Ima hitotabi no |
逢ふこともがな | Au koto mo gana |
Literal Notes
Be soon probably not
[this world/this present life] ’s/of [another place/outside of] ’s/of
Recall/remember to
Now [for a moment/one time/person trip]
Meeting [I wish or friend + how!]
The notes to the poem say it was sent to someone very ill. We don’t know if that was a friend or a lover.