He Held My Hand 

He held my hand, hiking up the Dobong mountain  

We didn’t talk to each other 

Korean folk songs echoed through the woods 

He found a good spot 

pitched a tent and spread out a mat 

He took out the camping gears  

turned on the gas and heated the water 

I found white and blue clouds 

Green leaves and red flowers 

Chatty birds 

Dancing fishes 

Trilling mountain stream  

A crashing waterfall  

He started preparing lunch 

오징어찌개 

a spicy squid stew 

Into the boiling water 

He threw in red pepper 

Handful of green onions 

Then stirred in a silver squid 

I mixed soil, water and leaves 

Suyun  

He called me 

Come and eat! 

He was proud of his dish 

It wasn’t very good 

The heat of spice 

Made me cry 

He opened a bottle of soju 

I poured him shots with care 

Paying attention to my wrist  

I tipped the clear liquid like time 

After emptying half a bottle  

he started singing 

Come Back to 부산Pusan 

Then he fell asleep 

I went to the stream to swim and fish 

I made new friends 

We splashed, ran and laughed 

When he woke up he started packing 

Suyun,  

Rainstorm is coming. Time to go. 

I didn’t want to go 

I wanted to play more 

I wanted him to stay and watch me play 

He promised,  

We’ll come back again. 

Can we come back tomorrow? 

He always said yes 

 
 
Going down we were silent 

 
I heard rain drops 

 
Rain drops echoed through the trees 
 

Tears flow in silent fragrance, Time fades in blue memories