Though flowers fall I have never forgotten you

by Jeong Ho-seung

For the first time, English-language readers can access the poems of Jeong Ho-seung, who has become one of Korea's most beloved poets since his literary debut in 1973. A total of 216 poems spanning over 40 years of poetic growth were released in two collections, presented side by side in English and Korean. Loved by readers of all ages, from teenagers to those in their 60s and 70s, Jeong's poems tell of humanity's innate loneliness, sadness, longing, love and pain. In the words of the translator, Jeong's poems "may sometimes be challenging, but above all they are moving, enlightening, and insightful."

Genres: Poetry

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2016

Reviews

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read for National Poetry Month 2017, these poems are in Korean followed by a translation in English. The poems span 29 years from one of Korea's most loved poets, but for me I fear some of it was lost in translation.

Many of the poems are about loneliness and love lost, reflected in nature. But then there are poems that seem to be about... well, poo. All of the sudden the poet will literally shit on things. The humor doesn't translate well, or it's just too crass for me, either way those did not feel they fit with the more serious tone of the rest.

Here's an example of a poem in its entirety:

Bird Shit

Even angels' breasts
are full of shit.
Ha ha ha.
Full of bird shit.

Then there is the one patterned after the Christian Christmas hymn, joy to the world, only it is grief to the world, and it talks about pooping at daybreak, spreading it on the cabbage, and eating rice from the dog's bowl.

One poem combines poo and loneliness by saying he leaves "dumps of yearning" in a cave... did they mean dumps? Dumps? Is it a translation issue or a poem issue?

I will end with an excerpt from another poem:
"...The day I divorce you, I meet a hooker in the street.
After eating rice with the hooker from a chamberpot
once again I hang on the cross without any underwear."

I received an eARC of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Translated poetry is always risky. This translation didn't work for me - there were some poems that were absolutely beautiful, but many others that felt clunky. I could just tell there was something missing from my understanding of the poet's intent. Luckily this version comes with the original Korean - I can't read Korean, but if you can, I think it'll be a better reading experience!

[Adrienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading any poetry from a Korean poet. Jeong Ho-seung is a popular Korean poet, and his book was gifted to my bookshelf from my boyfriend's father, a Korean writer himself, and it sat on our shelf for six months before I had picked it up. Although, at times the translations seemed to maybe lose what the poet may have been wanting to say there are many beautiful poems that translate well. Poems about love, and nature and about Korea. Since I am currently living in Seoul as I read, there were some parts that I was able to visualize because I was there like Jeju island, and Halla mountain, Hwaeomsa temple. I do think I missed a lot and like some other the talk about poop was over my head and I'm sure I miss a lot about the culture, but imagery and much of the translation is really quiet lovely. My favorite poem, The Holy Grail as my impression is about friend's drinking makgeolli (a rice wine) and talking multiple times about life, love, loss, blood, tears, and the search for holiness all in a cup of wine.

[Nattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would encourage everyone to expand their literary horizons with picking up this book.

However, I feel the translation could have been improved on by simply providing short commentary in order to contextualise the cultural meaning and significance of the text, or by being slightly more liberal with the translation, as often it is more clunky than necessary.

There is definitely beauty in this author, but I feel the translation falls slightly short when attempting to convey the true meaning, instead leaving us feeling absurdly lost.

[Lauren Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Floral motifs and poop jokes.

I'm not sure if these poems were translated brilliantly or if Jeong's nuances were lost in translation. I'm neither audacious nor bilingual enough to decide.

Earned an extra star for "Tattered Stars", "Waiting", and "Bupyeong Station", where the themes were vivid and Englished well.

[Pontus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer rhyming but I enjoyed it

[A.]

Not my jam, but I wish it were

[Aang Noviyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The degree of loneliness the writer felt to write poets is out of this world~ My fav is the poem Enough Unhappiness.

[sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Do not kill yourself. Stars won’t cry.”