Prayer in the Summer Woods

 

Prayer in the Summer Woods

Let his green world be greener next year!
Let the sound of water and singing birds

Be harmonious in this forest next year, too!
Let the morning glory be glorious along the path
Among the wildflowers.
Let the morning dew on grass be more precious
Than pearls on this summer morning.
Let the rabbits and deer stop the walking
Of human intruders into their land.
Let the trout hide under rocks in the stream.
Bless us next year, too
As You have blessed us this year.
Let our children spend one summer in this forest
Next year.
When night falls,
Let us go to sleep peacefully
While enjoying the firebugs’ festival in the dark sky.
Let us dream about this beautiful world.
Let our children dream about this wonderful world!

Cheju Island

Cheju Island

By Yearn Hong Choi

It is far from the land,

So it is a lonely island.

But I like the island,

Because it is lonely, far away from the land.

The autumn next to the sea is always full of dancing reeds

With wind from the sea.

Exiled languages and words created by wind and reed

Are making poetry

Unique and spectacular

On the island.

Ara arariyo

Ara arariyo

Foreign sailors from wrecked ships are hiding in the reeds

And listened to the poetry.

Their main diet is fish, wind, loneliness, and poetry.

Depending on their loneliness,

They all watch the enormously big sun

Crossing and disappearing over the sea line.

So they all embrace each other with warm hearts.

They all settle down in the island,

Giving up their native land.

But I am dreaming of getting out of the island,

to set sail to another island

Tonight.