Ono no Komachi quotes

A thing which fades
With no outward sign-
Is the flower
Of the heart of man
In this world! (Ono no Komachi)

Autumn nights, it seems, are long by repute alone: scarcely had we met when morning's first light appeared, leaving everything unsaid.

Ono no Komachi

So much I have learned: the blossom that fades away, its color unseen, is the flower in the heart of one who lives in this world.

Ono no Komachi

The flowers and my love Passed away under the rain, While I idly looked upon them Where is my yester-love?

Ono no Komachi

This night of no moon There is no way to meet him. I rise in longing- My breast pounds, a leaping flame, My heart is consumed in fire.

Ono no Komachi

Although I come to you constantly over the roads of dreams, those nights of love are not worth one waking touch of you.

Ono no Komachi

Imperceptible It withers in the world, This flower-like human heart.

Ono no Komachi

He does not come. Tonight in the dark of the moon I wake wanting him. My breasts heave and blaze. My heart chars.

Ono no Komachi

Alas! The beauty of the flowers has faded and come to nothing, while I have watched the rain, lost in melancholy thought.

Ono no Komachi

I fell asleep thinking of him, and he came to me. If I had known it was only a dream I would never have awakened.

Ono no Komachi

You do not come
On this moonless night.
I wake wanting you.
My breasts heave and blaze.
My heart burns up. (Ono no Komachi)

In this forlorn state I find life dreary indeed: if a stream beckoned, I would gladly cut my roots and float away like duckweed.

Ono no Komachi

Following the roads Of dream to you, my feet Never rest. But one glimpse of you In reality would be Worth all these many nights of love.

Ono no Komachi

So lonely am I My body is a floating weed Severed at the roots. Were there water to entice me, I would follow it, I think.

Ono no Komachi

Thinking about him I slept, only to have him Appear before me- Had I known it was a dream, I should never have wakened.

Ono no Komachi