After visiting Unjusa
After visiting Unjusa
for me, Korea
is the sound of a bell: a dragon released
by people moving, toning, dancing together,
full hearted runners
toward one human core,
messengers in rocks dreaming, chisel faced
past to future
born of one thousand bows,
innocence
of heart and trust,
rounding the old
world tortoise back with bones and tears.
Perhaps pain and purpose were both lifted
when its body was vaulted to house
hermit, priest, shaman, offers
food for the hungry
of light
so listen to the ondol river washing its hollows
– adjourn fear, converse with death –
for reborn
ancient prayers, like roots,
guide searching souls, young minds flowering
inner mountains, vision climbs.
The land turns temple when evening furrows ash, silk, flesh and ink:
melting crown and saber alike.
This, for me, is Korea: human ore
flagging the valley
as lanterns-perpetual,
showing the way.
(Thanksgiving 2014)
Note 1): The undated Unjusa Temple and sacred site is believed to have been raised prior to a 15th century mention on a geographic record
References_________________________________________________________________
- toning, dancing together : reference to the two Greek words khoros, khoreia – transl. in English: choir, dance
- full hearted runners: reference to the two Latin words: cor, currere – transl. in English: heart, run
- messengers: synonym to courier