いま写します紅葉が散りますI'm taking the picture now — the maple leaves are falling

長門峡での句。「いま写します」と写真機を構える声のあいだにも、紅葉ははらはらと散っていく。とどめようとする一瞬と、とどまらない散りぎわ。丁寧語のまま詠まれた、めずらしくにぎやかな旅の一場面。Composed at Chōmon Gorge. Even in the interval of a voice saying 'I'm taking it now' as the camera is raised, the maple leaves keep fluttering down. The instant that tries to hold, and the falling that will not be held. A rare, lively scene of the journey, rendered in polite speech.