Published transcription of a TV program done for NHK in which people chose their favorite poem from the Manyoshu (8th century poem anthology).  I chose one by Monk Sami Manzei 沙弥満誓 : 「世間を、何に喩えむ、朝開き、漕ぎ去にし船の、跡なきごとし」.  "To what shall I compare a man's life?  It's like a boat rowed away at dawn, leaving no trace."