Poetic soul of adults learning to read

Recently, as I was exiting from the Andong KTX station there in the lobby was a placard for a literacy poetry exhibition that caught my attention. Titled “Mother’s Time,” it was planned by the Mobile Korean Language Delivery Class. The second exhibition is on through Feb. 7, by the Lifelong Education Leaders Association and Literacy Teachers Association in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province.

Since 2014, Andong has visited illiterate adults in towns and villages to present the customized Mobile Korean Language Delivery Class. They started with three classes only, but now they run 26 classes. So far, 3,151 adult students have graduated. In 2025, 308 seniors received diverse training in Korean language reading and writing, music, art and crafts.

About 170 poems were exhibited for the first exhibition that ended Jan. 15. About 60 poems were chosen to be displayed again for the second exhibition at Andong Station.

Poems were written by seniors in their 70s to 90s to share their life stories and experiences. Each story is so honest and touching that I read them all. Each poem reminds me of my mother who learned to read by herself. Let me share with you some of the poems.

"Farming" written by Kwon Young-ja

My husband and I lived diligently. / He has already gone to heaven. / So, I alone cultivate peanuts and soybeans. / Raccoons come to harass me, / and the autumn rains are so heavy. / It breaks my heart that many soybeans rot. / But I am still working hard.

"It’s late, but it’s OK" by Kim Kyoung-soon

During my impoverished childhood, / my family of nine barely had enough to eat. / As a girl, I skipped school / and went to care for the neighbor’s child. / My cousin’s older sister convinced my father that I needed to learn. / But I was upset to be in the same grade as my younger brother. / My thirst for learning is now being quenched. / Are my friends feeling the same way? / I am finally studying with my friends without shame. / My childhood, so difficult and sad, is smiling in the end.

"Mom and soft persimmon" by Kim Nam-soon

When persimmons ripen on the tree in our garden, / my eyes well up with tears / as I think of my mother. / My mother especially loved bitter persimmons. / When a red persimmon ripens on the tree, / I think of her. / I bite into a soft persimmon / and look up at the sky.

"My gray hometown" by Im Ok-hee

A terrifying wildfire in my hometown, / that terrifying fire devoured the homes / and possessions of my relatives and friends. / All I have is my body… / I am so dumbfounded, I am speechless, / Is the Earth so hurt that it is angry?

"Life’s path" by Choi Jeom-hwan

When I was young, rather than dreaming, / I felt burdened by the reality of living as the eldest son. / So, I lived by challenging myself with new things. / Now, I'm growing old as a son and a father to my children. / Now, freedom is not allowed. / Still, I lived well. / Oh, my life, / looking at the wrinkles on my face in the mirror, / I feel pitiful and sad.

The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo) living and giving the good news to the world by means of social communication. Learn more about the congregation at fsp.pauline.or.kr.