A family of three
stand in the corner
of the street on a Sunday
Dry leaves whirl
round their feet
Until the day
no homeles ones
are on the streets
we don’t feel our nation
is rich or great
(by Byung A. Fallgren)
Perspective
Beautiful Season
We are born
to be climbers
with ambition
as high as stars
while some wallow
in the bottom
or somewhere in between
As the end of
the season nears
our arrogance dwindles
acknowledging that
we all are achievers of sorts
(by Byung A. Fallgren)
Where something’s broken
The windows used to be clear
as his eyes reflect his wife and son
and the world beyond them
before the devil’s breath swept
away everything, leaving behind
the shattered dreams
Remnant of yesterday’s misfortune
awaits in silence
as he ponders about
what needs to be done
to return to when
everything was in order
in the sunbeams from
the clear window through which
he used to see his dreams
He assures himself
where something’s broken
there is hope
(by Byung A. Fallgren. Photo by Collin Andrew Maag.)
Wise Friday Night
of all the nights
Friday nights are infamous
for broken nose and jail
among young ones in particular
some stay solitary and call it wise
(by Byung A. Fallgren)
Threat
It’s neither a hope
nor a solution but a
reckless fury tangled in
confusion of today
Excuse for self-defense
provoked by angry tit-for-tat
can turn into an irrevocable volcano
that takes innocent lives,
wounding the world
Wise answer lies within.
* I spoke over the phone with my sister in South Korea
the other day. She told me to speak louder because
she couldn’t hear me over the noise outside. According to her,
South Korea and U.S. military are jointly preparing for war
with North Korea, so constantly the military airplanes fly over
the residential district.
Are we really on the verge of another War?
Is it possible to resolve the problem in peace?
The historic Changgyeong Palace with downtown Seoul in the background
Looking at the cityscape and the old Palace,
one can see spirit of Tangun, the father of
the country hovers round, apprehensive for
the current situation in the land. One also
hear him saying, “Listen, my children, this is
homogenous people’s nation; you are all my
children. Get along! Then he retreats into
the deep of the ancient palace, praying to
Buddha for the country and world peace.
One is hopeful somehow everything will be fine.
(by Byung A. Fallgren)
starting the day with a ding
i was startled awoken by a strange ding,
eyes wide open, head half asleep
what was that?
The sound hangs in the air like a giant spider,
pulsating in the dark
Stars of e-devices watch in silence
Close eyes to get back to the lost sleep,
curiosity squirming about the ding
as if an echo from a bad day
Low hum of the neighbor’s garage door opening
followed by the sound of car drives away,
the barking dog, beeping trash-pickup truck
Wide awake, open the Inbox to find a love letter
from a young man, politely asking my age
Re: Old enough to be your mother
Another ding from the iPhone!
The message reads: “…there’s nothing like finding
perfect app or game.”
Some message at 5:30 a.m.
The dawn meets the morning light
as the Earth sighs, rotating, apprehensive
for the unpredictable human affairs, yet aspirant
So the day starts, a bit different from yesterday,
wintry scent in the air, calm and hopeful.
(by Byung A. Fallgren)
you, the master
One of our wonderful
abilities we tend to
ignore is
we can direct
our thoughts
where to go–
to any thoughts
but negative ones,
especially ones that
cripple our minds and soul
(by Byung A. Fallgren. Image by Collin Andrew Maag.)
Bouquet of Encouragement
i
I don’t need approval
for what I enjoy doing
but getting it is nice
like a bouquet
of encouragement
(by Byung A. Fallgren)
Flying Against the Flow
I’ve learned to fly
against the flow
now and then
to avoid the attraction
disguised in beauty
beyond the horizon
where many gather,
misguided
only to return,
broken hearted
that could consume
years to recover, wasted,
precious time undoable
I’ve learned to fly against the flow
not to follow the blinded flock
(by Byung A. Fallgren. Photo by Collin Andrew Maag.)
strength
I’ve feared, now and then, my patience
to overcome the plague will snap
and my tenacity that sustained me
for so long will be vain
yet deep inside, a sliver of hope
squirms to break the calloused bark
and sprout to see the light
(by Byung A. Fallgren. Photo by Collin Andrew Maag.)
Byung A. Fallgren 