Poet Luisa Ternau reads “The Colour of this Flower” by 9th century Japanese Waka poet of the Heian period Ono no Komachi. No English translation can possibly show the multilayered beauty of this simple/difficult poem about feminine physical beauty, sunk in thought, while gazing in vain and seclusion at the rain eroding the colour of youth and discouraging visitors.

The colour of this flower
Has already faded away,
While in idle thoughts
My life goes by,
As I watch the long rains fall.

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