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Hanja/Hangulback KIM WOONCHO
translation from Hangul by Suphil Lee Park
A Layered Poem
interpretive translation
Left alone here I can’t think straight
Your journey takes time And letters too scarce
My mind is nowhere near Although I sit right here
Sad are my combs and towels Even my fans and bracelets
A bell sings my house out of sleep As the moon climbs the gazebo
By my side are but pillows and dreams Clouds, why go now and so far away
Every day is just one more day to count At dawn I open your letters and weep
syllabic translation
Left Torn
Apart In wait
Mind’s with you Body here
Sad combs and rags Fans and bangles
At night a bell rings Moonrise at the pond
Lonely pillows and dreams Clouds too go far away
Counting days, no end in sight I shed tears reading letters
literal translation
Leave Think
RoadFar LettersDelayed
MindExistThere BodyStayHere
TowelCombExistentAgony FanBraceletNonexistentPromise
FragranceHouseBellChirpNight PracticeGazeboMoonAboveTime
DependLonelyPillowHeedRemainingDream WishReturnCloudDeploreFarLeave
DayWaitBeautifulPromiseAgonyCrookPoint DawnOpenLoveLetterCrySupportChin 
Contributor’s notes: Kim Wooncho
Contributor’s notes: Suphil Lee Park