WHEN SOMEONE ASKED SHOTETSU THIS, HE ANSWERED THUS Poem by Nachoem M. Wijnberg

In which province is Mount Yoshino,

in which province is Mount Tatsuta?



When I write about cherry blossoms, Yoshino;

when I write about autumn leaves, Tatsuta.



It doesn't help me to remember

that one is in the province of Ise, the other in the province of Hyuga.



But although I have never taken the trouble of learning it by heart,

I have discovered that Mount Yoshino is in the province of Yamato.



When my house burns down with all my poems,

I get some back from those who have learnt them by heart.



I don't dare to ask for the poems about who I desired.

That's why I'll write them again when I remember who I desired.