Poem - A Burning House

A Burning House
Lee, Ah Young

As the private gate closes, a half-moon rises above the village.
On the roof overflowing with gourd vines,
White gourd flowers slowly open their eyes.

The day the wind passed through the hole in the wall,
In her heart that searched for stars in the rising sun,
A thatched house is burning.

What can't be put out even when a fire truck comes,
Was it because She liked the mountains more than the sea?

If she walks through the desert, she will find meadows and oases.
Try blowing on a flute without holes.

Take refuge in the burning flames,
She crosses over and over Haneuljae on Wolaksan Mountain.

A path full of deep blue in July,
The smell of pine tickles her nostrils.
That fire has never been extinguished.


Poetess Ms. Ah Young Lee was born in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and completed the creative writing course at Chung-Ang University's Graduate School of Arts. She made her debut in the quarterly magazine ‘Free Literature’ in 2001. She has authored three books of poetry and has won two literary awards. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of the Korean World Literature Association.