Girls of the Fall Yang Jungja (1944 – present) In dreary November in the empty schoolyard where students and teachers are gone and blossoms and leaves are fallen seventh-grade girls who are yet to start puberty play jumpsies in the corner till late. “A toy train leaves as it chugs choo choo carrying cookies and … Continue reading
The Buddhist Nun Baek Seok (1912-1995?) The Buddhist nun joined her hands and bowed. She smelled like a wild aster. Her forlorn face was aged like old days. I became sorrowful like a sutra. At the gold mine of a mountain in Pyongan, I bought a corn from a pallid woman. Slapping her little daughter, … Continue reading
A Poem That is Written Easily Yun Dongju (1917-1945) The night rain whispers outside the window. The six-tatami room is a stranger’s country. Though I know the fate a poet is doleful, Shall I craft a line of poem? After receiving tuition in an envelope Where scent of sweat and love are snugly cradled, I … 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
Ahn Translation 