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
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
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
Ahn Translation 