Translated from Basho: "If the heavens rain out"
by Frank Watson
If the heavens rain out

The Festival of Stars,

Washed out too will be our hearts


七夕の逢わぬ心や雨中天


Tanabata no

Awa-nu kokoro ya

Uchuuten


Literal

Tanabata Festival’s [Star Festival]

Meet not heart

Rain middle/during sky/heavens


雨で逢わぬ (ame de awa-nu) means a date is rained out. 有頂天 (uchouten) means full of ecstasy. This plays with the order, creating a new word, to say that if the Star Festival is rained out, people’s hearts will be sad. 

All writings and translations are Copyright © by Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute" (2011-2014).
Year: 
2011