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“Structure of Chairs” by Lee Soo-Myeong
On top of one chair, two.On top of two chairs, three.On top of three chairs, four.On top of four chairs, five. On top of five chairs, nine.On top of nine chairs, twenty.On top of twenty chairs, fifty-one. A chair, on a chair, on a chairand more chairs still.More than can be counted. Each day we…
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“Cat Burglar” by Lee Soo-Myeong
The cat has been rummaging through the trash again. The bag is torn, lying in shreds here and there. There’s no use in covering or closing the garbage can. Bread, snacks, and raw fish placed in my shopping bag — all of them always disappear from my bag. I’m continually disappearing too because the cat…
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“My Face” by Kim Hye-Soo
When friends tease me,I feel like teasing back.My sniffling, crying face.My face, red like peppers. 친구가 나를 놀리면나도 놀리고 싶어진다.훌쩍훌쩍 우는 내 얼굴고추 같이 빨간 내 얼굴 This poem was written by Kim Hye-Soo, a child who participates in a poetry group called Perpetual Tree (계속나무), which started through partnership with a public library. As…
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“Life of My Own” by Ha Jae-Yeon
My eyes are my own.Each flutter of my lashes, my freedom.Turning my head to look upon, my freedom.My hands, my own.Whether smoking a cigaretteor extinguishing one, that’s my freedom.Overflowing and running over to you.If you can’t understand my words,that’s not my intention,or is it?When someday you love someone elseand a fire is growing in the…
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“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…
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“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…
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“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…
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“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…