Azaleas

by Kim Sowol · translated by Kim Jong-Gil

When you leave,
Weary of me,
I’ll gently let you go.

I will gather Armfuls of azaleas
From Yaksan to adorn your path.

Tread softly,
Step by step,
Upon the flowers as you go.

When you leave,
Weary of me,
I’ll bite my lips to stop my tears.

Kim Ki-Mun, editor. Korea Through her Arts. Seoul: Yesul Chunchu, 1964.