Would you like to read a poem?
Poems are written based on colorful thoughts and emotions from keen observation with extraordinary eyes to give comfort and empathy to readers to enrich their lives. We can easily find ‘nature and ecology’ as frequently used materials from most influenced poets.
Today, we would like to introduce two poems that reflect concerns about the environment and coexisting with other living creatures on this earth and criticisms of the selfishness of humans.
“Farewell” by Jeongrok Lee
First of all, let’s read a poem by one of the most influenced poets in Korea, Jeongrok Lee, called ‘Farewell,’ which is included in the 11th collection of the poet, ‘There are Times.’
Lee’s work is known for using languages that reflect the intimacy between humans and nature to show the fundamental values of life and existence. Through his unique humor and power of words, the readers indulge in reminiscences of their past, even when he uses materials that are demoralizing, discomforting, and despairing.
Whose responsibility is this?
The picture of a straw stuck in a sea turtle’s nose went viral and raised worldwide criticism of ‘this.’ Yet, in Lee’s poem, he argues and speaks from ‘its’ point of view that a hollow plastic straw must have its own circumstances of serving the purpose and seems to have a hole in its self-esteem.
First of all, let’s read a poem by one of the most influenced poets in Korea, Jeongrok Lee, called ‘Farewell,’ which is included in the 11th collection of the poet, ‘There are Times.’
<『There are Times』, Jeongrok Lee, 2022>
Lee’s work is known for using languages that reflect the intimacy between humans and nature to show the fundamental values of life and existence. Through his unique humor and power of words, the readers indulge in reminiscences of their past, even when he uses materials that are demoralizing, discomforting, and despairing.
Whose responsibility is this?
The picture of a straw stuck in a sea turtle’s nose went viral and raised worldwide criticism of ‘this.’ Yet, in Lee’s poem, he argues and speaks from ‘its’ point of view that a hollow plastic straw must have its own circumstances of serving the purpose and seems to have a hole in its self-esteem.
Being abused and exploited, straw loses its spirit to explain its own identity and even denies its existence. Straw knows the end of the road for itself and wishes to be born as something else.
Reading this poem raised the question of who should be the subject of the criticism. I felt great empathy for the straw because I saw myself through the life of a straw; how we work hard every day but our lives are filled with constant pain and resentment. It is a rather shocking experience to see the similarity between ours and straw’s desperate desire to escape from the fetters of the world and to be a part of the cycle of life.
The poet’s use of the simile and the different perspective of straw after its duties leave readers in awe.
Another reason that this poem arouses admiration is that it inspires the readers to realize what determines the value of existence.
“For a Coming Extinction” by W.S. Merwin
Another poem to introduce is ‘For a Coming Extinction’ by W.S. Merwin (1927-2019). Merwin was one of the greatest American poets, who is also an environmental activist and translator. Merwin also received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1971 and 2009, and many honors.
Another poem to introduce is ‘For a Coming Extinction’ by W.S. Merwin (1927-2019). Merwin was one of the greatest American poets, who is also an environmental activist and translator. Merwin also received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1971 and 2009, and many honors.
The gray whale that appears in this poem was once an endangered species. As witnessing whales becoming extinct caused by commercial whaling and research hunting, etc., Merwin seems to be concerned about the crisis, yet, criticizes the irresponsibility hidden behind the passiveness, as well as, the selfishness of humgreedy excuses.
What is important?
The last line of the poem, “That it is we who are important,” shows the sense of rage from the poet. Merwin condemns the dual perspective and behavior of humans to other living creatures on the earth.
Although governments and organizations around the world argue that they are assiduous at preserving the ecology, in reality, the fundamental idea of the ‘existence of life’ is often put aside in most cases. Even humans are no exception. Merwin cynically states that humans choose their desire over the realistic situation in front of them and that there is no future for them to be forgiven.
One of the specialties of Merwin’s work is that he skips punctuations because he argues that punctuations limit what he can express in words; still, there is no problem understanding it. Though it might seem awkward and hard to read the poem in one breath without any punctuation, Merwin’s intention is to extend readers’ imagination to join the natural flow of the poem.
Despite how the two poems introduced today have different sensibilities and subjects, the poetic expressions and metaphors used by both poets are truly remarkable. The poems we usually see consist of alluring and even lustrous senses and liberated languages, but reading a poem about the bleak reality of destroying the environment leaves behind the bitterness.
These two poems gave us a chance to see the environment and ecology with a different view and approach them more in-depth. If you can’t think about what to do in these continuous days of rain, why don’t you pick up a poem and try to cool down the heat of the summer?
1) Farewell by Chong-Nok Yi and For a Coming Extinction by W.S. Merwin is translated with rePAPER’s perspective. If there is any official version in Korean, please contact us.
Although governments and organizations around the world argue that they are assiduous at preserving the ecology, in reality, the fundamental idea of the ‘existence of life’ is often put aside in most cases. Even humans are no exception. Merwin cynically states that humans choose their desire over the realistic situation in front of them and that there is no future for them to be forgiven.
One of the specialties of Merwin’s work is that he skips punctuations because he argues that punctuations limit what he can express in words; still, there is no problem understanding it. Though it might seem awkward and hard to read the poem in one breath without any punctuation, Merwin’s intention is to extend readers’ imagination to join the natural flow of the poem.
Despite how the two poems introduced today have different sensibilities and subjects, the poetic expressions and metaphors used by both poets are truly remarkable. The poems we usually see consist of alluring and even lustrous senses and liberated languages, but reading a poem about the bleak reality of destroying the environment leaves behind the bitterness.
These two poems gave us a chance to see the environment and ecology with a different view and approach them more in-depth. If you can’t think about what to do in these continuous days of rain, why don’t you pick up a poem and try to cool down the heat of the summer?
1) Farewell by Chong-Nok Yi and For a Coming Extinction by W.S. Merwin is translated with rePAPER’s perspective. If there is any official version in Korean, please contact us.
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