Longing to see, four inches,
These, indeed, being added together,
Make a shaku.
The word shaku has two meanings: (1) a linear foot; (2) a woman’s hysterical desire. Ten inches go to a Japanese foot.
The separation of lovers is a fruitful topic. I select three poems which treat of it in divergent but equally piquant manners. The first might be called—
Amantium Iræ.
Would that my heart were
Cut out and shown thee!
Quarrelling leaves me
Deeper in love.