Jeong Ho-seung's poem (50)

• Published Oct 5, 2016 4:21 PM KST
• Updated Oct 5, 2016 4:21 PM KST

Earth to Earth

Translated by Brother Anthony and Susan Hwang

Last goodbyes are over now.

It’s time to fill the grave.

Everybody, stop crying and pick up a spade.

My soul’s flesh is cold now.

Quickly, dress it in red robes of earth.

Even if we live together a thousand years,

parting is bound to come at least once.

Those winter birds perched on the branches

are already writing my poor biography.

My forgiveness has not yet fallen asleep

but I am a camel

crossing the Himalaya’s snowy slopes.

And now the sunlight has reached evening.

A cold wind is blowing, the leaves are trembling.

Lay aside those spades, everyone,

and go back home.

The time for filling the grave comes for everyone.

This poem about death and burial recalls the Korean traditional funeral in which all the mourners join in filling the grave and raising the mound of earth above it and do not leave for home until that is done.