ithildin | Different Translations

As I think I said earlier in the week, the fic I'm working on has been partly inspired by a Japanese poem, and it derives its title "Takasago's Pines" from it. Since then, I've found an alternate translation, and I'm not sure which to use.

The first one, the one I read originally:

‘Who is still alive
When I have grown so old
That I can call my friends?
Even Takasago's pines
No longer offer comfort.’

This is the one I came across more recently:

'Whom then are there now,
In my age (so far advanced)
I can hold as friends?
Even Takasago's pines
Are not friends of former days.'

I'm leaning towards the second translation.

The mood of the poem has set the mood for the story, and was what led me to the drabble I wrote last night. That takes place a few years after the events in this story, but the stage is being set for that future here. As I said to Nin, "Takasago's Pines" is the lull between two storms.

Hopefully, I can get some more done on it tonight, because I think I'm in the right mood to get what I want out on the page.

I'll try and not babble any more tonight :) Blame the margarita and volcano cake I had at Chili's an hour ago: Sugar/Alcohol buzz.