Freedom Kim Nam-ju (1946-1994) When I struggle for the people, I am free. When I don’t sweat and work with all my effort, How can I say I am free? When I fight for the people, I am free. When I don’t bleed and fight together, How can I say I am free? When I … Continue reading
The Dessin Kim Gwang-gyoon (1914-1993) 1 Telephone poles slant one by one In the sunset beautiful as though spice is sprinkled. Far away— Night illuminates over the powerlines. 2 Clouds Are a bouquet of roses Recklessly painted on a violet paper. The path across the field is desolate Like the flag in the ranch and … Continue reading
Falling Blossoms Lee Hyeonggi (1933-2005) How beautiful is the back of a departing person who knows when to depart? My love that has endured the passion over the spring is now falling. Falling blossoms scatter… Now is the time to depart, surrounded by the blessing the departure has achieved. Toward the greenery and the autumn … Continue reading
Spring Shin Dong-yup (1930-1969) Spring comes neither from the southern sea nor the northern land. From Jeju to Duman river, generous and shimmering glance of spring arises from the stunning farmlands, where we’ve stepped on. Though winter drove a fierce snowstorm into the sea and the land, the generous spring that will now arrive shall … Continue reading
The Love Song of a Dandelion Claudia Lee Hae-in (1945-) Every day, a dandelion writes a poem in the spring sky, For it feels empty to untangle the long string of thoughts That has been twined in secret. When it lets down its white hair and spreads the thin seeds into the air For there … Continue reading
Cricket Hwang Tong-gyu (1938-) A cricket that was chirping around a benjamin vase on the balcony for several evenings chirped in the utility room in the back yesterday. A bit sluggishly. What had made it move there, while, by and by, autumn is deepening lonesomely? Would it have crawled across the living room or flown? … Continue reading
Awareness: the Visage of Happiness Kim Hyunseung (1913-1975) If happiness comes to me, I thank it; Even if misfortune comes to me, I thank it. Happiness comes once from outside, Once from inside. Our door to happiness Opens from outside But also from inside. When I’m happy, I warmly cherish the sunlight of today; When … Continue reading
At Sapyeong Station Kwak Jae-gu (1954 – ) The last train hadn’t come for a while. All night, outside the waiting room, snowflakes were piling. By every window, where a white gust of lilac was dazzling, a sawdust stove was burning red. Some were dozing like the last day of a month, some were coughing … Continue reading
Ferryboat and Traveler Han Yong-un (1879-1944) I am a ferryboat, You are a traveler. With your muddy feet, you trample on me. Enfolding you in my arms, I sail across water. With you enfolded, I can cross the rapids, deep, shallow, or swift. When you do not come, I wait for you night and day, … Continue reading
The Farmer and The Poet Kim Yong Taik (1948-) My father Built a house With grass, tree, soil, wind, water, and sunshine And lived in the house As he tended the crops. And I, With what do I write a poem? I, like my father, Want to write a poem With grass, tree, soil, wind, … Continue reading
Ahn Translation 