Why do some hold guns,
And express their anger?
I wish peace would cover the world,
Like snow.
Ms. Yang Geum-Hee, an acclaimed poetess from South Korea, shares her poem
Hailing from Jeju Island of South Korea, Poetess Ms. Yang Geum-Hee has published four poetry collections and has won eight literary awards. She has published poetry collections such as Happiness Account, Ieodo: The Island of Legend and Reality, Nests of Birds (published in Taiwan), and Nests of Birds (English-Korean poetry book). Additionally, she has written the research book Inheritance of Ieodo Culture and the essay collection A Happy Companion on the Journey. In recognition of her extensive international literary contributions, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the International Forum for Creativity and Humanity (President Dr. Aziz Mountassir) in the Kingdom of Morocco in March 2025. She was the founding President of the Ieodo Literature Association, editor-in-chief of Jejuin News, a researcher at the Jeju Sea Grant Center, a specially appointed professor at Jeju International University, and the 2nd President of the Korean Association of World Literature. Currently, she serves as an editorial writer for Samda Ilbo, President of Jeju PEN, and Vice President of the Korean Peace Cooperation. Her poetry has been translated and introduced in various countries, including USA, China, Russia, Italy, Germany, Egypt, Greece, Belgium, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kosovo, Albania, Vietnam, Mexico, South America, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
Peace Is in your mind
Peace Is in your mindPeace in all hearts,
Like snow falling from the sky,
Covers mind of all people,
Making the world beautiful.
Why do some hold guns,
And express their anger?
I wish peace would cover the world,
Like snow.
Peace is everywhere,
In the sky and on the ground,
In flowers and trees,
And in our hearts.
***
그대 마음속의 평화
그대 마음속의 평화모든 마음에 평화가 깃들기를,
하늘에서 내린 눈이 세상을 덮듯이
모든 사람의 마음을 평화가 덮어
아름다운 세상이 되기를
왜 어떤 이는 총을 들고
분노를 표출하는가
평화가 세상을 덮기를
내리는 눈처럼
평화는 온누리에 있네
하늘과 땅에
꽃과 나무에
우리의 가슴에도 있네
***
The Seed of Poetry
The Seed of PoetryPoetry is a tiny seed,
Waiting for the light it needs.
It sprouts where hearts and eyes embrace,
In joy, in love, in time and space.
Where will you plant it? Where will it grow?
The moment you choose, its roots will show.
Like cacti bloom in desert air,
Poetry thrives everywhere.
A feather-light and fleeting thing,
It rides the wind on gentle wing.
Yet even in the smallest sand,
It finds a place to take a stand.
Close your eyes, breathe in deep,
Let its whispers softly creep.
In the garden of your soul,
Watch it flourish, bright and whole.
The power is yours, the choice is clear,
Just plant the seed, and words appear.
***
시의 씨앗
시의 씨앗시는 작은 씨앗이지,
빛을 기다리며 숨 쉬는 생명.
눈과 마음이 머무는 곳,
기쁨 속에, 사랑 속에, 시간과 공간 속에 움트네.
어디에 심을까? 어디서 자랄까?
네가 선택하는 순간, 뿌리가 펼쳐지리.
사막에서도 선인장이 꽃피듯,
시는 어디서나 살아가네.
가벼운 깃털처럼 떠다니고,
부드러운 바람을 타고 흐르네.
작디작은 모래알 속에서도,
그 자리에서 단단히 뿌리내리지.
눈을 감고, 숨을 쉬어봐,
시의 속삭임이 스며들 테니.
네 영혼의 정원 속에서,
찬란하게 피어나는 모습을 보리라.
힘은 너에게 있어, 선택은 분명해,
씨앗을 심기만 하면, 시가 피어나리.
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