Ono no Komachi

c. 825—c. 900) / Japan

I Long For Him Most

I long for him most
during these long moonless nights.
I lie awake, hot,
the growing fires of passion
bursting in my heart.

Another translation by Kenneth Rexroth:

You do not come
On this moonless night.
I wake wanting you.
My breasts heave and blaze.
My heart burns up.

Another translation:

I would meet him
But there's no way, so on this moonless night
From my yearning the embers of my love
Send sparks leaping in my breast,
Setting my heart aflame.
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