So, I was required to memorize a poem and translate it for my Korean class.
This poem by Kim Sowol (김소월) is called Azaleas, or 진달래꽃, and is very famous.
This is the original followed by my translation (I added a syllabic structure to mine in an attempt to ensure the flowing aesthetic of the Korean original on the page):
나 보기가 역겨워
가실 때에는
말 없이 고이 보내드리오리다
영변에 약산
진달래꽃
아름 따다 가실 길에 뿌리오리다
가시는 걸음걸음
놓인 그 꽃을
사뿐히 즈려 밟고 가시옵소서
나 보기가 역겨워
가실 때에는
죽어도 아니 눈물 흘리오리다
When my sight you hate, (x5)
and you away, (x4)
Silently, peacefully, shall I send you. (3,3,4)
I'll spread armfuls of (x5)
Azaleas (x4)
from Mount Yak in Yeongbyeon, along your path. (3, 3, 4)
With your ev'ry step (x5)
on flowers, placed, (x4)
Tenderly, cautiously, tread as you go. (3,3,4)
When my sight you hate, (x5)
and you away, (x4)
Though I die, I'll not shed a single tear. (3,3,4)
This is an alternate translation that I came up with last night that I think flows better to an English speaker:
When of my sight you weary
and take your leave of me,
Without a word, in silence, will I send you.
From distant mountains,
Azaleas
Along your path I'll spread.
For each and every step you take
upon the flowers that I lay,
Please, tread tenderly as you go.
When of my sight you weary
and take your leave of me,
Though I die not a tear will I shed.
Ai miei amici (comprendete per favore): la vita è più di dolore.
