Water, Wind, and Light – Land 11 Jo Taeil (1941-1999) Water and water meet in silence And mingle without a trace. Whether cold or hot, they mingle as they are. Wind and wind, too, meet in silence And mingle without a trace. They mingle either swiftly or leisurely. While things from one lineage meet and … Continue reading
The Sun Pak Tujin (1916-1998) Rise, the sun. Rise, the sun. Rise, the fair sun in your face washed clean. Beyond the mountains, flame and wolf the darkness all night. The fair sun, in your burning, youthful face, rise. I loathe the moonlit night. I loathe the moonlit night. I loathe the moonlit night in … Continue reading
Pink Clusters Kim Eok (1896-?) On the street where spring breeze buoyantly rolls, Pink apricot blossoms open their eyes. Ineffably delighted to see pink clusters, A butterfly dances as it sways. On the street where spring breeze buoyantly rolls, Pink apricot blossoms flutter in the wind. As pink clusters fall in the wind, A butterfly … Continue reading
A Village Do Jonghwan (1954-) Perhaps because villagers live benignly, myriads of stars are in the sky. The village is clustered where a brook runs limpidly; cuckoo sounds and star shadows are scooped in a water dipper. When rice is rinsed with the water and spreads the cooking scent, I pass by the village where the … Continue reading
Auntie Yoon Jungsoon (1957-present) I really like my auntie because she looks like my mom. Her plump fingers and voice are alike too. When she gets down and looks into my eyes, She looks exactly like my mom. And when she suddenly grins, She’s prettier than my mom. Auntie doesn’t send me on an errand … Continue reading
Had We Been Snowflakes Ahn Do-hyun (1961-present) Had we been snowflakes, let us not become sleet that hesitantly scatters in the air. Even if the world is gusty, freezing, and dark, let us come down in big, cozy flakes to the lowest part of a town where people live. Had we been snowflakes, let us become letters … Continue reading
Balsam Flower Kim Sang-ok (1920-2004) After rain, balsam flower opens half-way among potteries. Shall I watch the blooming flower by myself every year? Let’s write a detailed story to my sister. Would my sister sob or laugh as she reads the letter? She may yearn for home that is vivid before her eyes And … Continue reading
A Village Park Namsu (1918-1994) The day a lonely village leisurely dozes in the afternoon And a kite swirls like a pinwheel In the vast village… A hen in the front yard chases her shadow and swallows fear as she rolls her eyes. 1939 (Translated by Jido Ahn. Jan 2016) Learn more about the poet: Park Namsu … Continue reading
Grass Leaf Park Sungryong(1934-2002) A grass leaf Has such a stunning name. When we call it “grass leaf,” Inside our mouths echoe a blue whistle. Why do grass leaves on a windy day Waver their bodies so much? Why do grass leaves on a showery day Bounce their bodies so much? Nonetheless, a grass leaf … Continue reading
Like Sunshine Whispering to a Stone Wall Kim Yeongrang (1903-1950) Like the sunshine whispering to a stone wall Like the spring water grinning beneath grass Today, I long to look up the sky all day Calmly, on a beautiful spring street. Like shyness rising on a bride’s cheeks Like waves gently moistened in a lyric’s … Continue reading
Ahn Translation 