Poem - Blooming Lotus Flower

Blooming Lotus Flower Dr. Kang, Byeong-Cheol

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.


Biography:
Poet Dr. Kang, Byeong-Cheol is a Korean author and poet, born in Jeju City, South Korea, in 1964. He began writing in 1993, publishing his first short story, “Song of Shuba,” at the age of twenty-nine. He released a collection of short stories in 2005 and has since won four literature awards and published more than eight books. From 2009 to 2014, he served as a member of The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International. Additionally, he worked as an editorial writer for NewJejuIlbo, a newspaper in Jeju City, Korea. He holds a PhD in Political Science and currently serves as the Vice President of The Korean Institute for Peace and Cooperation. Moreover, he holds the position of founding President of the Korean Association of World Literature.