Sowol Kim

Hope by Sowol Kim

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Night comes and snow falls.
On the edge of a brook
I hear an owl hooting forever in the mountains.
Fallen leaves lie scattered under the snow.

What a bleak landscape–
a moment too late I realize
how to be wise after sorrow.
Things of this world
are an idle show,
the skin-deep beauty our mind creates.
In the sweet-scented autumn night
the trees throw twisting shadows
on leaves torn off by the lashing rain.

translated by Jaihiun Kim & Ronald B. Hatch

Road by Sowol Kim

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Again last night
in a country inn
I heard a crow cawing all night.

Today
where shall I be bound?
How many more miles to go?

Up to the mountains,
onto the plains?
No, no place beckons.

No more talk.
To my home in the far north
trains and boats travel.

Tell me,
wild goose in the skies,
is there a sky-road that you travel so freely?

Wild goose in the skies,
look at me standing
at the crossroads.

The road radiates
in many directions
yet none of them can I choose.

translated by Jaihiun Kim & Ronald B. Hatch

Dawn by Sowol Kim

/ zdunno03 / 5 Comments

On the pondside ankle-deep in the fallen leaves
trees cast their jagged shadows
while waters awaken a pale sheen.
I stand alone waiting
for the day to dawn.
Are there tender tears heavenly people shed,
like a rain-cloud, on their lonely dream pillows?
My sweet, why don’t you come, shy and soft,
over to me across the waters?
A cloud braces against the evening skies.
A half moon holds a wake in mid-heaven.

translated by Jaihiun Kim & Ronald B. Hatch

A Purple Cloud by Sowol Kim

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A purple cloud drifts away
and the sky begins to clear.
The snow fallen stealthily in the night
bursts the pine grove into blossom.

Millions of flashing flakes
dazzle in the sunlight.

I gaze on them forgetful
of what happened during the night.

A purple cloud drifts away.

translated by Jaihiun Kim & Ronald B. Hatch

Invocation by Sowol Kim

/ zdunno03 / 3 Comments

O, name shattered.
O, name vanished into thin air.
O, name without response to my call.
O, name I will be calling till death.

You’ve gone before, I have said,
one last word etched on my heart.
O, my love nearest my heart,
nearest my heart.

The red sun hangs over the western peaks.
Even a herd of deer laments.
I am calling to you
as I stand on a lone hill.

I call to you till sorrow chokes me,
sorrow chokes me.
But my voice rings hollow in the vast void
between heaven and earth.

Should I turn to stone
I will be calling to you.
O, my love nearest my heart,
nearest my heart.

translated by Jaihiun Kim & Ronald B. Hatch

In Autumn Morning by Sowol Kim

/ zdunno03 / Leave a comment

Under the far-off, pale-blue sky
rows of grey roofs flash.
The wind whines in the wood
through the ribbed trees.
Mists invade a mountain village
barely visible in the distance.

The rain has chilled the dawn air.
The stream freezes, studded with fallen leaves.
Memories coming alive in tears
whisper comfortingly to my soul
that cries wildly like an infant
cut with a knife.

Wasn’t there a time
when you were happy and light-hearted?
How the voice soothes,
a salve to my bruised heart.
I cry and cry at the voice,
without shame or hate.