In the midst of a dull and weary life,
Even in darkness,
You shine quietly
With vitality and hope.
Park Chul-eon, a poet from South Korea, shares his poetry
Hailing from Korea, the Land of Morning Calm, poet Park Chul-eon is also an essayist and lawyer. He holds a Doctorate in Law and is a graduate of Seoul National University School of Law. He has served as Chairman of the Korean Peninsula Welfare and Unification Foundation, Minister of Political Affairs, Minister of Sports and Youth, a three-term member of the National Assembly, Presidential Policy Advisor, and Chief Prosecutor. He has received numerous honors, including the Yun Dong-ju Literature Prize. He has published ten poetry collections, including Embracing the Wind.
A Serenade to the Moon
A swelling heart
Turns into longing,
A waning heart
Fades into solitude.
Even in the pain of a dimming light,
Even in the thrill of a rising glow,
With a tender expression
Resembling your gentle smile.
The moon that follows every night.
Though on cloudy days or in busy hours
There were nights I missed you,
You always rise
Softly, even in my dreams.
In the midst of a dull and weary life,
Even in darkness,
You shine quietly
With vitality and hope.
You are already a blessing.
You are longing itself, reborn each day.
***
달(月)을 향한 연가
차오르는 마음 담아
그리움이 되었다가
사그라지는 마음 담아
외로움이 되었다가
스러져 가는 빛의 아픔에도
차오르는 빛의 설렘에도
그대 미소 닮은 그윽한 표정으로
매일 밤 따라오는 달
흐린 날씨나 바쁜 일정으로
널 놓친 밤도 있지만
언제나 꿈속까지
온화하게 떠오르는 너
윤기 잃은 삶 한 가운데
어둠 속에서도
생기와 희망으로
고요히 빛나니
이미 축복이다
날마다 그리움이다
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