-
·
“And the Birds, They Fly” by Na Hee-Deok
Birds flew by with hearts between their beaks.Outside the window, a quiet calm.Inside, I’m sitting on a washer.A plate seated in front of meholding an apple, peeled and bitten,which moments ago throbbed red.Could the apple have been the plate’s heart? The seeds, the apple’s heart?Have you ever heard the pumpingof things with circumferencesas they continue…
-
·
“Trees” by Moon Yeon-Joo
Trees,even when it rains or snows,remain as always.But I can’t forgettheiremotionless faces.They are just too serious. 나무는비가 와도 눈이 와도그대로 있다나무는그래도 진지한 표정을 잊지 않는다하여튼 나무는 너무 진지하다 This poem was written by Moon Yeon-Joo, a child who participates in a poetry group called Perpetual Tree (계속나무), which started through partnership with a public library. As…
-
·
“When the Waters Come” by Heo Eun-Shil
Water beetles hold their breath against the wind. Waters swell.The moon exhales deeply. Murmurings rise like running watersup to my eyebrows — and are quiet. As animals crawl out of conch shells, there follows a collective crashing of waves.Are the birds flying into the night? Disappearing clouds soon follow the remaining wings.Where could the waters…
-
·
“Birthday” by Kim Hye-Soon
When I open my eyes in the morning,the bed is full of thorns.When I listen to music,thorns gush out of the speakers.When I walk,thorns pour out in piles beneath my feet.Somehow, I’ve become a clock.Sharp second hands spilling outof my body.These second handsare impatient.Impatiently,they pierce me.When night falls, so does thick rain mixed with second…
-
·
“Lying in the Breeze” and “Reed” by Lee Ji-Soo
Lying in the BreezeI felt the sky.A breeze blowing coolly,trees gently rustling.I ride a cloudand feel the sky. ReedWalking through the grass,reedssway softly,shake.It seems like I’ll take flight. These poems were written by Lee Ji-Soo, a child who participates in a poetry group called Perpetual Tree (계속나무) which started through partnership with a library. As part…
-
·
“Fallen Leaves, First Love” by Kim Seon-Woo
1If at the edge of a dizzying cliff you’repacing in the face of the wind, I won’t call out to you.Clinging to your collar, I won’t be an overbearing noise. What could your reason be?I will be behind youwith my share of love to watch over you till the end.Even though you don’t hold out…
-
·
“Railroad” by Ahn Do-Hyeon
Go not alonebut together.Walk not ahead nor behindbut in step.At distancethat cannot compareto the amount of our tender longing.Live calling each other’s names.Until the day you reach an inhabited village,go not alonebut together. 혼자 가는 길보다는둘이서 함께 가리앞서지도 뒤서지도 말고 이렇게나란히 떠나가리서로 그리워하는 만큼닿을 수 없는거리가 있는 우리늘 이름을 부르며 살아가리사람이 사는 마을에 도착하는 날까지혼자…
-
·
“And It Grows Darker” by Kim Myeong-In
Whether promising or obscuring,there’s an awful glow, I know, for anyone,which piles higher than the polar lights.On this bank, a disappearing overpass, a disappearing river.On the other, I see a willow forest,thick snowflakes tangled together,and with them, roads which called me down their paths, now fading away.For some reason, you wander the fields for a…