When I look at a flower,

My heart too begins to bloom

I become a fragrant blossom.

Ms. Yang Geum-Hee, an acclaimed poetess from Korea, shares her poem

Poetess Ms. Yang Geum-Hee, born in 1967 in Jeju, Korea, has published four poetry collections and received eight literary awards in recognition of her contributions to literature. Her poetry collections include Happiness Account, Ieodo: The Island of Legend and Reality, Nests of Birds (published in Taiwan), and Nests of Birds (a bilingual English-Korean edition). In addition, she has authored a research book titled Inheritance of Ieodo Culture and an essay collection titled A Happy Companion on the Journey. In acknowledgment of her extensive contributions to international literature, 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. Poet Ms. Yang 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 second President of the Korean Association of World Literature. She currently 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 into multiple languages and introduced in countries including the United States, China, Japan, Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain, England, Taiwan, Nepal, Egypt, Greece, Pakistan, Vietnam, Albania, Bangladesh, Kosovo, Tajikistan, Belgium, and beyond.

When I Look at a Flower

When a flower is in its most beautiful bloom,

Even memories shine bright.

The paths I’ve walked,

Etched like fine lines on petals,

Are traces of time passing through

Its most radiant moments.

Even a nameless wildflower,

Unseen by the world,

Is noble where its roots have taken hold.

Whether splendid or simple

A flower in solitude is beautiful,

But when blooming together,

They become lanterns that light up the world.

The world you and I live in

Becomes a field,

Becomes the sunshine,

Becomes a rebirth of the beautiful soul.

When I look at a flower,

My heart too begins to bloom

I become a fragrant blossom.

***

꽃을 보고 있으면

꽃이 가장 아름다운 시절,

기억도 눈부시게 피어난다.

살아온 내력의 결이

주름진 잎맥처럼 새겨져 있다.

그 찬란한 순간들은

시간의 손길이 남긴 흔적.

세상의 눈길조차 닿지 않는 풀꽃도

그 뿌리 내린 자리에서는

고결한 존재가 된다.

화려한 꽃이든, 소박한 꽃이든

홀로 피어도 눈부시고,

무리 지어 피면

세상을 밝히는 꽃등불이 된다.

너와 내가 살아가는 이 세상은

들판이 되고,

햇살이 되고,

아름다운 영혼의 환생이 된다.

꽃을 보고 있으면

내 마음도 향기로워진다.

나는 향기로운 한 송이 꽃이 된다.

________________

Read: Peace Is in your mind