Korean Poem "Walking Together " By Park Seong-ryong

Walking Together

                             By Park Seong-ryong

Two people have walked a long, distant path,

Yet only a single set of footprints remains.

Traversing paths of enchanting blossoms and hacking through thorny thickets,

Climbing up and down low hills and towering mountains—

Whenever one’s gaze wandered,

The other would lead the way, bringing us to this point.

Along the parallel rails of a journey

That was at times joyful and at others wearying,

The seasons have quietly turned,

And autumn flowers have begun to bloom.

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About the Author

         Park Seong-ryong (Poet)

Born in 1932 in Haenam, South Jeolla Province

             Department of English Literature, Chung-Ang University

1964 Hyundae Literary Award

1982 Poetry Literature Award

1989 PEN International (Korean Center) Literary Award

1992 Republic of Korea Literary Award

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< Reflection >

There may be journeys taken together that resemble a poet's song,

but what does such companionship look like for me?

It means simply being together, moment by moment—

sometimes out of obligation,

sometimes with a sense of poignancy,

sometimes out of affection,

and sometimes amidst tears.

That is how we walk this path together as a married couple.

A long journey still lies ahead of us.

Yet, the path forward will likely differ from the years gone by;

it will be a journey requiring greater patience

and a tender, heartfelt regard for one another—

as we grow increasingly frail and, perhaps, more stubborn.