Izumi Shikibu

Izumi Shikibu (974-1034)

FIVE UNTITLED POEMS

Lying alone,
my black hair tangled,
uncombed,
I long for the one
who touched it first.

               (translated by Jane Hirshfield & Mariko Aratani)

I think, "At least in my dreams
we'll be able to meet. . . ."
Moving my pillow
this way and that on the bed, completely
unable to sleep.

               (translated by Jane Hirshfield & Mariko Aratani)

Why haven't I
thought of it before?
This body,
remembering yours,
is the keepsake you left.

               (translated by Jane Hirshfield & Mariko Aratani)

To a man who used to visit secretly but asked to come now in daylight

There are many
strange and lovely things
that swim in the midnight tide pools. . . .
I think I do not want to share them
with other divers' eyes by day.

               (translated by Jane Hirshfield & Mariko Aratani)

When I was thinking not to age any longer in this world, I saw a small child

It is easy
to hate this painful world,
but how can I leave
a world
that includes this child?

               (translated by Jane Hirshfield & Mariko Aratani)

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Revised: February 11, 2000