和歌の影響を受けた英詩


        A Memory

Four ducks on a pond,

A grass bank beyond,

A blue sky of spring,

White clouds on the wing;

What a little thing

To remember for years-

To remember with tears!

The poem cited above was composed by William Allingham(1824-89), who was an Irish poet. This work is said to be influenced by the Japanese waka poetry. It is lyrical and gives a beautiful scenery in his mind’s eye. It already has a profound feeling of waka poetry, and what is more surprising, this work is composed of just 31 words! Yes, this is the "三十一文字(みそひともじ)" world.