Vanishing natural spaces

By Lee Nan-hee

I usually take a walk around my house quite often. There is a small park near my house. There inside the park are some trees, grass, flowers and a large ground area. Walking briskly and wandering around in the park are my favorite things to do daily. Then, walking and looking round green leaves and trees, I can have “me time.” I can have some spare time there, watching children play. There are also people who enjoy their leisure time peacefully with their families and friends or playing badminton in the park.

Sitting on a bench, looking up to the clear, blue sky, feeling the cool, gentle wind that is blowing across the park and listening to the sound that the wind makes through the leafy branches, I am so happy and pleased that I want to be in this fresh air as long as possible. Going out in the fresh, early summer air after hard work makes me feel alive, vibrant and pleasant.

Sometimes little birds such as sparrows and pigeons hop on the ground near me. They don't seem to be afraid of people. Is it because they got used to living in an urban area like Seoul? Anyway, it is so enjoyable to hear birds chirping and singing merrily. The birds are flying here and there, on the trees and near people.

I can see the change in the weather in the park. I remember that these trees and grasses looked grey and ugly in the winter. They didn't look alive at all for some time. But now, I can see little green shoots coming up endlessly, leaves becoming darker green day by day. Their names, never do I know. Some of them would be so-called weeds. It doesn't matter.

It is so mysterious and wonderful that so many living things are growing deep down in the ground, that they come up or push their way out of the ground in spring and summer. The wind makes the trees and plants grow and move. Inside the park, there are some old, very thick heavy plants whose leaves provide people with large leafy shades. Every time I walk around those trees, I cannot help but think that such trees are like loving people who willingly give themselves to others.

However, these days, resting under trees in the shade, I feel sorry because I heard news that this park is going to vanish in two years, as Seoul city plans to build a large shopping mall (or a complex) in this park. It was so deplorable that I wanted to cherish every living thing in this park in my heart. Red, yellow tulips, white magnolias, pink azaleas, little yellow flowers, soft green unnamed grasses, white little butterflies flying from flower to flower, cute birds freely flying over trees, old thick tall cherry trees, dark black soil covered with withered grasses and pebbles and the glaringly shining sun, white floating clouds like cotton candy, deep lake-like blue sky.

This park has been open for over 10 years for people in this region. Ten years is a long time. I don't want to sit idly by and just miss this vanishing park. I imagine that this park will become larger, greener, more spacious and more beautiful so that tired people with weary eyes can come, be healed and comforted. I want to help those who want to preserve the park despite the city's decision. I guess other people might feel like me. We are alike. You and I, we are not so pretty to look at, we feel small and lost sometimes, we are not somebody. We need somebody to share, lean on, may it be people or trees or flowers. Above all, we are part of nature.

Lee Nan-hee studied English in college and theology at Hanshin University.