East Sea—At Hupo Port Shin Kyung-nim (1936-) Many days, I despise my friends more than my enemies. Many times, a fault as tiny as dust Looks huge like a straw mat, like a hill. This may be why when the world is in confusion, I become harsh on others and lenient on myself; I become … Continue reading
Originally posted on Poethead by Chris Murray:
Pomegranate In autumn, even a tree sheds jewels on the street. A deeply buried heart may be fetching like this. Around this time, A bird shall pilot the life of a fragrant tree, Crossing the river with a seed in its beak, Passing the field of silvergrass on…
꿈과 현실을 이어주는 것은 언제나 꿈의 막바지에 진해지는 감정의 엑기스였다. 꿈속에 얼키설키 엮여 있었던 감정들이 한 올 한 올 풀려나고, 그 풀려났던 것들은 차가운 물에 오래 잠겨있었던 듯 꿈의 끝에서 한없이 불어나는 것이다. 꿈의 정황은 기억 속에 사라진대도 감정의 한 오라기만은 몇 시간이고, 며칠이고, 몇 달이고 남아 가장 기대하지 않았던 때에 보풀처럼 일어난다. 그렇게 오늘 … Continue reading
A Joyful Letter Hwang Tong-gyu (1938-) 1 For me to think of you must be a trivial thing like the setting sun and blowing wind at where you sit, but I shall call you with the long-lasting trivialness when you are lost in the endless agony. 2 The truest, truest reason for my love of … Continue reading
NABILLERA IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER TRANSLATORS AND EDITORS! Please check the description below and send an email to Nabillera.Korea@gmail.com if you’re interested. It is never too late to send an inquiry. Every position is ad hoc and based on the volunteer’s availability: Literary translator (# in need: unlimited) Humanities major preferred (especially English and/or Korean literature) … Continue reading
Like a Period that Resembles a Flower Seed Claudia Lee Hae-in (1945-present) With a fine throbbing Of the day the seed I planted Blossomed for the first time With dazzling, touching feeling Of the time I open the window After days of illness And look at the sky With the pure voice Trees speak with … Continue reading
A Piece of Briquette Ahn Do-hyun (1961-present) Though people say many different things, Life is To become a briquette, gladly For somebody else. From the day the floor chills to the day spring comes, The most beautiful thing in the streets of Korea Is a truck that fervidly climbs up the hill with briquettes. As if … Continue reading
A Person I Love Jeong Ho-seung (1950-present) I don’t love a person who doesn’t have a shade. I don’t love a person who doesn’t love a shade. Sunlight is dazzling only when there’s a shade. When I sit in the shade under a tree And look at the sunlight tinkling among the leaves, How beautiful … Continue reading
I Ask You Ahn Do-hyun (1961-present) Don’t kick ashes from briquettes. Have you Ever been fiery for somebody else Once in your life? 1994 (Translated by Jido Ahn. September 2016) Learn more about the poet: Ahn Do-hyeon (1961-) 너에게 묻는다 안도현 (1961-) 연탄재 함부로 발로 차지 마라 너는 누구에게 한번이라도 뜨거운 사람이었느냐 photo source: Woman … Continue reading
Non-gae Byun Yeongro (1897-1961) The divine fury Is deeper than religion, The burning passion Is stronger than love. Ay! The heart redder than a poppy Shall flow In the wave Bluer than a bean flower. Waving up high Her beautiful slender eyebrows, With the lips that look like a pomegranate, She kissed the “death”! Ay! … Continue reading
Ahn Translation 