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
Chilseok Kwak Jae-gu (1954 – ) While picking the flower seeds by her worn palm, in the field of moss roses, my grandma left to the heaven, befriending the day moon that came to this world on an outing. An elegant, blue ramie jacket in the cedar chest followed my grandma to the heaven, … Continue reading
Mother, Sister Kim Sowol (1902-1934) Mother, sister, let’s live by the riverside. In the yard is the tinge of sparkling golden sand, Outside the back door is the song of fallen leaves. Mother, sister, let’s live by the riverside. 1922 (Translated by Jido Ahn. March 2016) Learn more about the poet: Kim Sowol (1902-1934) … Continue reading
Home Park Mok-wol (1915-1978) On the earth are nine pairs of shoes. Around the time a light bulb lightens, at the doorstep; no, at the storage room; no, at the home of a poet, are nine pairs of shoes in different sizes. My shoes are forty-six point eight centimeters. When I take them off beside … Continue reading
That Every Moment Is a Flower Bud Chong Hyon-jong (1939 – present) I regret at times. That moment, that event Could have been a treasure trove… The person of that moment The thing of that moment Could have been a treasure trove… Had I digged in more passionately And talked more passionately And listened more … Continue reading
Ahn Translation 