Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Midang So Chong-ju


Beside a chrysanthemum by Midang Sŏ Chŏng-ju



For one chrysanthemum to bloom

a nightingale

has sobbed since spring, perhaps.



For one chrysanthemum to bloom

thunder

has pealed in dark clouds, perhaps.



Flower! Like my sister standing

at her mirror, just back

from far away, far away byways of youth,

where she was racked with longing and lack:



last night's frost came down

to bid your yellow petals bloom, perhaps,

while I could not get to sleep.

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