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
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 Sea and the Butterfly Kim Kirim (1908-?) Because nobody told her how deep the water is, The white butterfly is never afraid of the sea. She descents, thinking it is a blue radish farm, Then jadedly returns like a princess With her callow wings soaked by the waves. A blue crescent moon is chilly … Continue reading
I spent Christmas morning translating Kim’s poem. This poem is very well-known in Korea, and it often appears in the Korean textbooks. This is also one of my favorite poems. If you’re using my translation, you don’t need to get my permission, but please make sure to clarify who the translator was. Also, as I’m … Continue reading
Ahn Translation 