These tears dripping for love,
these pearl-like tears,
I wish to spread together
with an imperishable red thread
for my beloved to wear around her neck
as a gift of love.
translated by Jaihiun Kim & Ronald B. Hatch
love poem
Dawn by Sowol Kim
On the pondside ankle-deep in the fallen leaves
trees cast their jagged shadows
while waters awaken a pale sheen.
I stand alone waiting
for the day to dawn.
Are there tender tears heavenly people shed,
like a rain-cloud, on their lonely dream pillows?
My sweet, why don’t you come, shy and soft,
over to me across the waters?
A cloud braces against the evening skies.
A half moon holds a wake in mid-heaven.
translated by Jaihiun Kim & Ronald B. Hatch
untitled poem 2 by Lady Kasa
I love you–
do not forget me!
Like winds blowing
over the bay,
never let us cease!
translated by Hiroaki Sato & Burton Watson
untitled poem 1 by Lady Kasa
My keepsake–
look at it and think of me,
and I will love you
through the long years
strung like beads on a string
translated by Hiroaki Sato & Burton Watson
poem by Otomo Surugamaro from The Man’yoshu
Again and again I think of her–
. . .a thousand waves
. . . .lapping my heart
. . . . .in a single day–
yet how hard it is to wrap that jewel
. . . . .around my wrist.
translated by Ian Hideo Levy
poem by Otomo no Yakamochi from The Man’yoshu
How can I make sure it stays in my hand,
this gem I would constantly gaze on,
in the morning and throughout the day?
translated by Ian Hideo Levy
anonymous tanka 10 from The Kokinshu
Like the light snow
that piles up
until it crumbles,
how often my thoughts crumble
under the weight of love
translated by Hiroaki Sato & Burton Watson
To One Unnamed: poem 1 by Li Shang-yin
A faint phoenix-tail gauze, fragrant and doubled,
Lines your green canopy, closed for the night. . .
Will your shy face peer round a moon-shaped fan,
And your voice be heard hushing the rattle of my carriage?
It is quiet and quiet where your gold lamp dies,
How far can a pomegranate-blossom whisper?
. . .I will tether my horse to a river willow
And wait for the will of the southwest wind.
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
from The Book of Songs: No. 28
Cold blows the northern wind,
Thick falls the snow.
Be kind to me, love me,
Take my hand and go with me.
Yet she lingers, yet she havers!
There is no time to lose.
The north wind whistles,
Whirls the falling snow.
Be kind to me, love me,
Take my hand and go home with me.
Yet she lingers, yet she havers!
There is no time to lose.
Nothing is redder than the fox,
Nothing blacker than the crow.
Be kind to me, love me,
Take my hand and ride with me.
Yet she lingers, yet she havers!
There is no time to lose.
translated by Arthur Waley
from The Book of Songs: No. 36
Outside the Eastern Gate
Are girls many as the clouds;
But though they are many as clouds
There is none on whom my heart dwells.
White jacket and grey scarf
Alone could cure my woe.
Beyond the Gate Tower
Are girls lovely as rush-wool;
But though they are lovely as rush-wool
There is none with whom my heart bides.
White jacket and madder skirt
Alone could bring me joy.
translated by Arthur Waley
Leonard Durso 