Poetry and translation from Korean by Ihlwha Choi
Leaning on her cane, limping along,
An old woman steps out to bask in the spring sun,
And though February’s chill lingers,
The alleyway feels warm.
She tends her garden alone,
Feeds the fire in the hearth…
And so, in the countryside home,
Swallows still build their nests.
Though the mulberry fields have turned to sea,
She lets pumpkin vines climb the fence.
And all summer long,
Balsam flowers bloom in the yard.
With pumpkin vines and swallows,
A garden and balsam flowers under her care,
She is an aged queen,
Ruling over an ancient land.
Ihlwha Choi is a South Korean poet. He has published multiple poetry collections, such as Until the Time When Our Love will Flourish, The Color of Time, His Song and The Last Rehearsal.
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