Through a thousand darkened years,
Who is there to rekindle the light of this world?
Ms. Heo, Yunjeong (許允禎) is an acclaimed poet from South Korea
Poetess Ms. Heo Yunjeong was born in Sancheong-gun, Korea. She began her literary career in 1980 with the publication of her poems in the Hyundae Munhak(Modern Literature). She later founded the poetry magazine Mack, serving as its publisher and editor for 11 years. Ms. Heo is currently an executive member of PEN Korea Center, a member of the Planning Committee of the Korean Poets’ Association, and a member of the South-North Exchange Committee of the Korean Writers’ Association. She has published several poetry collections, including A Corner of the Empty Sky, The Secret of the Crested Ibis, At the Gate of Tiny Wildflowers, The Land of Stars, The House Where Double Plum Blossoms Bloom, A Seorae Village Woman, One Hundred One-Line Poems and many others. Her literary achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, such as the 1st Baekja Art Award, the 1st Sinsaimdang Literary Award, PEN Korea Center Prize for Literature (2016), and the 20th Korean Writers’ Association Award (2023).
The Stone Lantern with Its Light Out
The Stone Lantern with Its Light OutOnly the mountain’s shadow trembles.
Looking back, this world
Has left no trace of coming or going.
Even the void refuses every stroke,
Truly, no trace of coming or going remains.
On this spring night of blooming flowers and chirping birds,
Through a thousand darkened years,
Who is there to rekindle the light of this world?
What passing traveler, who is there to light the flame
In that stone lantern?
***
불 꺼진 석등
산 그림자만 흔들리고 있네
지나고 보니 세상은
오고 간 흔적도 없네.
허공은 어떤 획도 마다하고
참말로 오고 간 흔적도 없네.
꽃 피고 새우는 봄밤
불 꺼진 천년세월
그 누가 있어 이 세상 불 밝혀 줄까
어느 길손 누가 있어
저 석등에 불 밝혀 줄까.
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