Poems of Dr. Kang Byeong-Cheol (South Korea)

 

Dr. Kang Byeong-Cheol is a Korean author, poet, translator, and Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science. He was born in Jeju City, South Korea, in 1964. He began writing in 1993 and published his first short story, "Song of Shuba," at the age of twenty-nine. In 2005, he published a collection of short stories. He has won four literature awards and has published more than eight books. He was a member of the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International from 2009 to 2014. He also served as the Founding President of the Korean Association of World Literature and as an editorial writer for JeminIlbo, a newspaper in Jeju City, Korea. Currently, he is a Vice President at the Korean Institute for Peace and Cooperation.


Good Poem

I heard what a humble Korean novelist, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature, said:

"At this very moment, at this very hour, as victims of war mourn in two places in the world, I cannot celebrate myself on winning the Nobel Prize in Literature."

I thought to myself that what she said was one of the best poems I've ever heard.

The Lesson of History

The long history of the world can be condensed into a short tale.
Wars were waged, many people died, and property was burned, but little was gained.

I heard that on an island, when conflicts arose, they would place an axe in the middle of the negotiation table.
Whenever anger flared during talks, they would gaze at the sharp edge of the axe.
If the sun set while negotiating, they would continue their conversation by the fire.

Peace requires patience, much like a large shoebill that stares at its prey in the water for hours without moving.
Peace demands even more patience.

Conversations carried forward by patience sweep away the thick soot of night.

With the will for peace,
there will come a time for young lovers,
when the brilliance of diamonds is placed in the palm of a lover's hand.


Gaza's White Dove

 
A Palestinian boy returned home after the bombing.

He saw pigeons, chickens, and canaries lying dead in his almost destroyed house.

 

Dead wings, wings scattered in the yard

 

He finds a white dove that survived the bombing.

Holding the white dove in his arms amid the rubble of Gaza, the boy says,

"Stop the war, end the war, let the pigeons walk the streets of Gaza.

Let the pigeons walk leisurely through the streets."

 

People shout together. Like an echo, the cry spreads far and wide:

“Let the pigeons walk leisurely among the people in the streets of Gaza.”





Do Not Teach Revenge

 
Do not teach hatred to the young.

Teach mercy and tolerance to the young.

 

A wise man said,

"There is someone who thinks he has been harmed by others.

There will be no peace for him."

 

Roses bloom with bright sunlight and clear water.

Even though they have small thorns, the lovely and red flowers are loved.

 

One's Inner Peace

Once, a wise man said,
“Achieve peace in your heart
Achieve peace in your family
Achieve peace in your country

World peace will naturally follow.
As your shadow follows you”





Blooming Lotus Flower

 

Once upon a time, a wise man said:

"Be happy,

Feel comfortable,

Learn to calm yourself down,

Keep peace of mind."

 

Fame and medals mean nothing,

Everything disappears like dust in the wind.

When humanity in you is lost,

You will lose a precious jewel.

 

As a youngster, you have no respect for the laws of nature.

Everything is in a state of flux,

Everything ages.

Even so, you don't heed the wise man's words.

 

Engaging in meaningless conversation,

Know that you're venturing where you don't belong.

You can right the wrong,

Follow the written and unwritten rules,

Breathing deeply and slowly.

 

Be happy,

Be comfortable,

Keep peace.

There is greatness in that,

Enjoy the joy of life with wisdom.

 

The jewel in the lotus flower,

Shines brightly from you, me, and us.

Life goes on, and the power of mercy is mighty.

May people welcome people.

 

The Lotus Flower hopes to bear ripe fruits,

For peace in the human mind.

 

 

Berber Old Man


Before me, an old man suddenly appeared

In a valley of Morocco

He wrapped a blue turban around my head

Like an old friend

 

As I wore the blue turban

I became a Berber

I pondered,

What does this blue symbolize?

The old man smiled at me!

 

The blue turban is a symbol like a spell that opens my soul

My burning lips felt as if they had drunk the elixir of love

Like the wind blowing through the leaves

My honey-like curiosity flew towards the Berber!

Like an arrow

 


Turf War

 
Cats growl in the middle of the night,

People complain that it's noisy.

Echoing under the moonlight,

People can't sleep because of the creepy crying sound.

 

A person who tosses and turns sighs,

“Someone please stop those cats.”

They cover themselves with blankets,

Grumbling about the constant cat fights.

 

Outside, the cats do their best,

In the dark, they stand tall.

Risking their lives to protect their territory,

In their cut-throat world, that's the way of life.

 

After the fight, the cat licks its wounds,

Healing under the quiet moonlight.

As they continue day by day,

They live in their own way.

People will never understand the hard lives of cats.

 

They just live the life they are given,

The struggle for survival is written on every land.

A fight for land, a fight for power, a fight to preserve the race.

Cats growl in the middle of the night.

 

 

Summer's Invitation

 
Summer world, you invite me in your world,

Hot world of colors, fabulous season.

Pale green plant will be a strong green plant,

Under the vast blue sky, where green dreams unfurl.

 

Big, big clouds drift in the azure sea,

Early summer festival, joy in the air.

River breeze whispers, as it leads me,

Through a splendid day, so bright and fair.

 

Your world, it calls me with a gentle hand,

Invoking senses, a symphony grand.

Sun's warm embrace, a tender caress,

Scents of blossoms, in nature's dress.

All greens destined to brown wither.

 

Birds serenade, their melodies pure,

Taste of sweet fruits, a summer allure.

Through touch, sight, sound, scent, and taste,

You make me feel your world, a vibrant place.

 

Summer world, in your embrace, I find

Precious time and joy, a peace of mind.

Strive to make fruit, fabulous summer, summer.

 

 

Vibrant Life

 
The river is wide and narrow and long,

Along its banks, nature's varied song.

Dense forests thrive, where shadows play,

And desolate lands in quiet lay.

 

Birds soar above, on wings so free,

Fish swim below, where we can't see.

In seen and hidden, life does strive,

Each creature here is so alive.

 

What a living, this river grand,

A bustling world on water and land.

From dawn to dusk, life does unfold,

A timeless tale forever told.