Chrysanthemums In Autumn: Comments

waka composed at a time Tsurayuki was thinking of how piteous was the world of men, and saw a chrysanthemum flower

秋の菊にほふかぎりはかざしてむ花よりさきとしらぬわが身を aki no kiku niFoFu kagiri Fa kazasitemu Fana yori saki to siranu wa ga mi wo Chrysanthemums in Autumn: While they shine I’ll wear them in my hair, For sooner than the flowers’ May come my ending. Tsurayuki 貫之 KOKINSHŪ - KKS V: 276