War

Have you ever walked on
the streets of a war-torn city?
I did, a fifteen year old girl,
In my city of Seoul.

Streets covered with thick fog,
So many shadows of deaths--
Sons and daughters, brothers and sisters
Friends, young and old, male and female
Silence reigns, more piercing than
Howling animals.

Neither the raindrops
Nor a thundering downpour
Can cleanse the dark blood
But the same humans
Continue to run wild. Blood thirsty,
Murdering each other in the name
Of war.

Irreverent Laughter

How long has it been
since I burst into irreverent laughter?

Since I let my soul fly out of the window
to luxuriate generous air?

Since I enlivened the dreary monotony
of daily life into joy?

Since I let light replace darkness
to reach the climax of audacity
of ascending high into the sky
to have a glimpse of the sun

News from the Land of My Birth

From the land of my birth
Long ago parted,
I hear that Spring still comes
To the trees in the winter
Their branches shivering and bear
And clothe them leafy and brilliant

The sun darkened faces of the children
Under the hot sun of the summer
Send laughter, cheerful and joyful
Waiting for the bliss of autumn
For the rice plants
To ripen golden, for their eager bellies

© Copyright, 2014, Dai Sil Kim-Gibson .
All Rights Reserved.