Miscellaneous records on Korean poetry, culture, and more.

 Parrot                             By Jeong Hye-ryeong After the pet bird died, her parents told the daughter to throw away the cage. Unable to discard it, she placed the cage in a vacant nook of the apartment— a heart dwelling amidst the empty air of iron bars. Can one truly draw out the heart of a bird that is no longer there, or the feeling of reading a bird that has vanished? The daughter’s hand strokes the back of the absent bird, silently, endlessly stroking— and that stroking touch speaks in the bird’s stead. Is that why your hand came to resemble my back? A living thing— fluttering its injured wings, so fiercely alive. From somewhere comes the sound of a body slamming full-force against the iron bars. *Tak-tak, tuk-tuk*— the scent of dry twigs burning. With a tail of golden flame, circling the cage in desperate agitation, my wings followed me into my dreams. Burning— if it were to speak while burning, co...

 Companion Flower                                   By Me Weary from a long, long wait, you smile with sheer delight even at the briefest touch of a welcome rain— you are truly beautiful. Just to catch a glimpse of your radiant smile, I waited with longing for a whole year in that empty space. Your smile alone washes away all my past sorrows!

   Sudden Shower                                 by  Me I caught sight of you nestling lovingly into his arms with a radiant smile. Turning back from the steps I had taken toward you, I climb up to the attic— a place filled with the words I had left unspoken during all those moments I hesitated and failed to approach you. The pattering rain taps against the window of the dim attic..             소나기                            by 정 노 래 환한 미소로 사랑스럽게 그의 팔에 안기던 너를 보고야 말았다. 나는  네게 가던 걸음을 뒤로 하고 머뭇대고 네게 다가가지 못한 시간마다 묵혀두었던 말들 가득한 다락방에 오른다. 후두둑 내린 비가 어둑한 다락방 창을 두드린다. ----------------------. <vocabulary> 후두둑 : (hudoodoog) Meaning and Definition Definition : An onomatopoeia or mimetic word in Korean. Usage : Used when raindrops, tears, or small objects fall heavily or in a quick series.   E...

  To the Daffodil                                                                                                   <By Jeong Ho-seung> Do not weep. To be human is to be lonely. To live is to endure loneliness. Do not wait in vain for a call that will not come. When it snows, walk the snowy path; When it rains, walk the rainy path. Even the black-bellied sandpiper in the reed bed is watching you. Sometimes, even God sheds tears out of loneliness. Birds perch on tree branches out of loneliness, And you sit by the water’s edge out of loneliness. Even the mountain’s shadow descends to the village once a day out of loneliness. Even the sound of the bell rings out because it is lonely.

Anchovy <By Moon Sun-tae> Who would call you small and ugly? Your brief life was truly fierce, And your final silvery thrashing is majestic. You shone when moving in a school, Yet stood stiff and rigid in death when alone. With that frail, pitiful body, You once dazzled as you roamed the vast sea; Now, you remain within me as hope, Still thrashing—with a movement that brings tears to my eyes. <Vocabulary> * *Ppatppat-hada* (Stiff/Rigid) – 1. An object is straight and unbending. 2. An attitude or personality is unyielding or tough. * *Padak-georida* (To flutter/thrash) – 1. A small bird repeatedly flapping its wings lightly and quickly. 2. A small fish repeatedly flicking its tail lightly and quickly.

  While Waiting for You <By Hwang Ji-u> At the spot where you promised to come, as I wait for you, having arrived early, every approaching footstep makes my heart pound. Even the rustle of a single leaf feels like it is coming toward me. Those who have waited know: is there anything in the world that wrings the heart quite like waiting? At this spot where you were to come—where I am waiting now— everyone who opens the door and enters seems to be you, then you, then someone who might be you... before the door closes again. My beloved, waiting for you, who do not come. <Vocabulary> Aerida (Dialect of *arida*) Arida— 1. To have a stinging, tingling sensation (like on the tip of the tongue). 2. To feel a sharp, stabbing pain (in a wound or on the skin). 3. To feel intense emotional pain or heartache. 너를 기다리는 동안  <황지우 作> 네가 오기로 한 그 자리에 내가 미리 가 너를 기다리는 동안 다가오는 모든 발자국은 내 가슴에 쿵쿵거린다 바스락거리는 나뭇잎 하나도 다 내게 온다 기다려본 적이 있는 사람은 안다 세상에서 기다리는 일처럼 가슴 애리는 일 있을까 네가 오기로 한 그 자리, 내가 ...

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