Poem - Towards Peace

Mr. Lee, Hee Kuk is a Korean poet. He was born in Seoul, South Korea. He is a pharmacist and Adjunct Professor at the College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea. He is a member of the Executive Board of PEN Korean Center of PEN International. He is the president of the Ieodo Literature Association and a Vice president of the Korean Association of World Literature. He has published five poetry books and has won four literature awards.

 

 

Towards Peace

When hands join to draw a circle,

Peace comes.

Even the most fruitful result can be scattered by a gust of wind.

Even the vessel of my heart forged to withstand 1600 degrees of heat,

Once it screams its final cry,

It cannot be reversed.

That beautiful heart has lost all the touch of the neighboring wind and the resonance of space.

Something that should disappear after being kicked to the ground

Even if it cries day and night in the dusty wind,

A broken vessel cannot contain anything

Someone's greed

Tramples upon the wound of those unfulfilled,

And those wound gather, protruding like scars.

Even in that empty space, peaceful winds may dwell,

But within rigid boundaries, there hides a rough, bitterly howling wind.

Those who have, show consideration, extend your hand first.

Those seeking true peace,

Forgive, and love.

The morning sun, rising with everything in it

Transmits with a round heart, warm sunlight.