At first I said so, but afterwards grew more discreet and asked some one about her, who replied: "She is a goddess, and takes up her abode at Isé.[52] The goddess is also worshipped by the Provincial Governor of Kii. She is worshipped at the ancestor shrine in the Imperial Court."
I could not by any means get to Isé. How could I bow before the Imperial shrine? I could never be allowed to go there. The idea flowed through my mind to pray for the heavenly light.
A relative of mine became a nun, and entered the Sugaku Temple. In winter I sent her a poem:
Even tears arise for your sake
When I think of the mountain hamlet
Where snow-storms will be raging.
Reply:
I seem to have a glimpse of you
Coming to me through the dark wood,
When close over head is Summer's growth of leaves.
1036. Father, who had gone down towards the East, came back at last. He settled down at Nishiyama, and we all went there. We were very happy. One moon-bright night we talked all the night through:
Such nights as this exist!
As if it were for Eternity, I parted from you—
How sad was that Autumn!
At this father shed tears [of happiness] abundantly, and answered me with a poem:
That life grows dear and is lived with rejoicing
Which once was borne with hate and lamentation