Like a seashell worn smooth by waves
Remaining in someone’s palm,
Even within emptiness,
Spring at last pushes forth new sprouts.
Kang Jeong Ae was born in 1969 in Susan-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju Island, South Korea, and earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration. Demonstrating literary talent from an early age, she won the grand prize in the children’s poetry category at the Jeju Newspaper Writing Contest in 1980 with her poem “Sparrow.” In September 2014, she officially debuted in the literary world after receiving the New Writer Award from Open Literature with works including “The Dichotomy of Agony” and several others. Her published books include I Am a Guardian Angel (2004) and its English edition I’M A GUARDIAN ANGEL (2007). In 2014, she also published the poetry and painting collection Cheering for You. In addition, she has written numerous academic papers and literary works. She has also worked as a lyricist for songs such as “I Want to Go to the Five-Day Market,” “Heavenly Match,” “Proposal,” and “The Shaking Road We Walk.” Through her active contributions to literature and social service, she has received many prestigious awards, including the World Environmental Literature Award (2019), the International Culture and Arts Award (2015), and the Grand Prize for Persons Who Shined Korea in the field of social service (2019). Her honors also include the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, the Rotary International President’s Citation, one Ministerial Award, and three Governor’s Commendations, among more than 150 awards overall. Notably, her book became the first by a Korean author to be selected by the Power Center of the American MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table). She is currently active as a member of International PEN Korea Center, the Korea Writers’ Association, the Jeju Writers’ Association, and the Ieodo Literary Society. She has also served as Vice President of the UNESCO Jeju Association of Korea, Auditor of the International Council, and President of a Rotary International Club. As a female CEO, she has devoted more than 25 years to community volunteer service, embodying both literary spirit and social commitment.
Seashell
In autumn, I shall love the autumn itself,
Hold its abundance deep within my heart,
And even love the winds that come and go.
In autumn, I shall be steeped in longing for you,
You, who have journeyed with me through the long years—
In this season, your image rises ever clearer.
In the richness of autumn fields, there dwells longing too,
The footprints you left behind, ah, they are your love.
In the shadow of moonlight, I shall cradle and keep you close.
In this autumn, when thoughts return to the one I miss.
I find myself loving clear days more
At the end of a day
That seems to linger as it slips away,
My heart, holding a piece of sunlight,
Is so delighted like a child
That even its shadow feels light.
Today again, I unravel my stories.
The night grows deeper,
And coincidences disguised as destiny
Climb onto my cart laden with happiness,
Lingering awhile
Under the name of fate.
Human beings, leaving behind
The warmth of a handshake,
Drift away from one another’s lives.
Like a seashell worn smooth by waves
Remaining in someone’s palm,
Even within emptiness,
Spring at last pushes forth new sprouts.
***
조가비
난 맑은 날이 더 좋더라
머문 듯 스쳐 가는 하루 끝에
햇살 한 조각 품은 마음이
아이처럼 들떠
제 그림자마저 가볍다
오늘도 이야기를 풀어놓는다
밤은 깊어 가고
필연을 가장한 우연들이
행복을 실은 나의 수레에 올라
인연의 이름으로 머물다 간다
인간은 악수의 온기를 남긴 채
서로의 생에서 멀어지는 존재
누군가의 손바닥에 남은
파도에 닳은 조가비처럼
비어 있음 속에서도
봄은 끝내 새싹을 밀어 올린다
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