Poetry By Wansoo Kim: Korean poetry

Wansoo Kim

Lightning Blossom

When I quietly close my eyes in prayer
Or stroll through the morning forest catching my breath,
Suddenly, a bud of lightning
Blooms in the sky of my heart.
 
That flower becomes a spring of poetry,
Whispering a new song
Or gently untangling
The knotted threads of my troubles.
 
A thrilling ripple striking my heart—
Perhaps it is
A shining jewel placed in my heart
By the Master of the universe who breathes wisdom.
 
This jewel, flown in on a beam of light,
Is a warm proof
That He lives and loves me.
 
May this mysterious gift dwell often,
Let me pray daily with a burning heart,
And may the jewels He has poured out
Shine for His joy and glory.
 
Even when the gift hesitates,
I quietly hold in my heart
The mysterious melody
That my beloved will someday sing.
 
 
Spirit
 
The spirit dwelling deep within the body
Hears a whispering voice above the clouds.
The soul breathing alongside the spirit
Is an antenna catching the world’s vibrations.
 
The soul listens to city noise and crowd murmurs,
The body sways to soft whispers of instinct’s temptations,
So the spirit often misses the Creator’s gentle breath.
 
Amid the whirlpool of desires stirred by soul and body,
My spirit firmly grasps
The Creator’s shining shield and sword,
And cautiously feels along the path
Opened by the grace and wisdom flowing from His spring.
 
O Almighty, who fills all things with light,
Do not leave my spirit to its wavering choices,
But guide my spirit with Your hand,
Illuminating the way with a quiet light,
That I may follow wholeheartedly every day.
 
Embrace my spirit, trembling with unrest,
In Your warm arms like morning sunlight,
And fill it abundantly
With waves of laughter that seep deep within the heart,
And with the hope of sprouts blossoming toward tomorrow.

 
Conscience
 
Every time a wicked thought passes,
In the dark forest of my heart,
A chilling blade grazes the flesh,
Passing like a flash of lightning.
Dark clouds gather and weigh upon my mind.
 
The river within my heart
Is tossed about like a raft in a storm.
Invisible whispers
Come like a gentle breeze
And illuminate the shining path.
 
The One who quietly guides from above
Is the lighthouse of the soul,
Shining upon us in the dark, a star that guides to truth.
 
Wandering the alleys of online political news,
As comments overflow with lies and hatred,
My heart is crushed like a heavy stone,
And my pulse leaps erratically like a cricket.
 
Even amid the flood of evil falsehoods,
With eyes clear as spring water, beholding the truth,
Let me walk according to the will
Of the Creator of all things.
With drops of prayer,
May I cleanse the lighthouse of my soul.
 
Bio(Wansoo Kim)
Wansoo Kim achieved Ph. D. in English Literature from the graduate school of Hanguk University of Foreign Studies. He has published 8 poetry books. One poetry book, “Duel among a middle-aged fox, a wild dog and a deer” was a bestseller in 2012. He won the World Peace Literature Prize for Poetry Research and Recitation, presented in New York City at the 5^th World Congress of Poets(2004). He published poetry books, “Prescription of Civilization” and “Flowers of Thankfulness“ in America.(2019), received Geum-Chan Hwang Poetry Literature Prize in Korea(2019) and International Indian Award(literature) from WEWU(World English Writer’s Union)(2019). He published “Heart of God” in America(2020). He published an autobiography book, “Secrets and Fruits of Mission” and a poetry book, “Flowers of Gratitude”(2021). He received India's Independence Day Literary Honors 2021”(2021). He published the Chinese version of his ebook, “Heart of God,” which reached Amazon bestseller #1(2022). He published poetry books, “Captive of Crazy Love.”(2023) and “Teachings of Mother Nature(2024).