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poetreeFirst Stop - Korean Poetry
I am going to start with some Korean poetry (hansi), because Korea tends to get overlooked when people talk about Asian poetry. That's a pity because not only does Korea have its own poetic form, the sijo, but but there is also quite a lot of poetry written by women.
I will start off with Hwang Chin-i, Korea's most famous classical female poet. These are both sijos, and you can find more information on her here: Hwang_Chin-i
Hwang Chin-i was a kiesang, which were Korean courtesans. The kiesang were especially well known for their poetry, most of which was written anonymously. These three 'songs' were translated by Joan Grisby.
If you are interested in Korean poetry, I'd like to point you to a link with quite a few poems:
Poetry Translations by Brother Anthony
There is also an excellent website about the sijo that you can peruse here: Sijo Poetry.
I am going to start with some Korean poetry (hansi), because Korea tends to get overlooked when people talk about Asian poetry. That's a pity because not only does Korea have its own poetic form, the sijo, but but there is also quite a lot of poetry written by women.
I will start off with Hwang Chin-i, Korea's most famous classical female poet. These are both sijos, and you can find more information on her here: Hwang_Chin-i
Two Sijos
~Hwang Chin-i
1.
Oh that I might capture the essence of this deep midwinter night
And fold it softly into the waft of a spring-moon quilt,
Then fondly uncoil it the night my beloved returns.~~+~~
2.
I cut in two
A long November night, and
Place half under the coverlet,
Sweet-scented as a spring breeze.
And when he comes, I shall take it out,
Unroll it inch by inch, to stretch the night.
Hwang Chin-i was a kiesang, which were Korean courtesans. The kiesang were especially well known for their poetry, most of which was written anonymously. These three 'songs' were translated by Joan Grisby.
Untitled
Come not at dawn,
For I am weary when the morning breaks
After a long night spent in dreams of you.
Come not at noon.
When footsteps clatter round the splashing well
And shrill tones jangle by the gatehouse door.
But come at night
When flowers of moonlight in the courtyard bloom
And moonlight shadows paint the orchid screen,
One shadow yours—another shadow mine.
Untitled
Last night I dreamed of lanterns at the gateway,
Of voices bidding me awake from sleep.
Sweet was the joy of such a rare disturbance.
Messengers brought a letter from my lord.
Swift, swift upon seal and cord my fingers!
Soft, soft the sound of unrolling paper!
What did I read?
Alas! I cannot remember,
For even your letter to me was a fleeting dream.
Untitled
Yesterday a thousand soldiers passed down the village street,
Going to war, going perhaps to die.
Many of them glanced at my silken gown.
Many of them smiled because I smiled.
But only one knew of my hidden tears.
If you are interested in Korean poetry, I'd like to point you to a link with quite a few poems:
Poetry Translations by Brother Anthony
There is also an excellent website about the sijo that you can peruse here: Sijo Poetry.
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