The Scenes of Korea-W

Look there! A newly wed bride steps out
Dismounting from the wedding coach.
The tradition expects the bride to step
On the lid of the traditional huge pot
Before entering into her home-to-be.
The pot being hanged on the threshold.

Look again! Smoke rising off the chimney,
The woman puts the soybean skins in the fire,
‘tak, tak, tak’ sound comes from burning wood,
Now the hearth blazes in flaming red
And brightens the woman’s beautiful face.
Her charms come unbidden
Like a phrase in a sentence.

An old man chanting first to the drums
And the paddy planters sing after him,
Sending the echoes over the Naju plains.
The old man shouts a word of command
And the planters move to the next line.

I hear the famous Hori & Gyeori songs
To converse with Mara and An cows
“Mara is stepping back- A-Ha!!!!
But An is just going slow, A-Ha!!!!
Where are you going cow?
Pay attention to where you are going
Here! Here! Boy, Here! Go straight!
Here, Boy, Here, Ahead we go!!!!!!!”

Thus, the earth is tilled,
The earth makes soft breaking sounds
The cows breathe heavily
The farmer’s song too gets out of breath
The calf feeds on her mother’s breasts
The life on the earth goes on and on..
=================================
Fourth Place win
The Country is Korea
Contest: Somewhere over the rainbow


GLOSSARY
Naju Plains: The productive agricultural plains of Naju. 
Hori and Gyeori songs: There is a tradition of gathering cows with a song.
Jeonggeum-Ri: The most famous songs - Hori Song and Gyeori Song. 
Gyeori: The name of a large plow pulled by two cows. 
Mara: The right-hand cow in a team of two. 
An or Ahn Cow: The left-hand cow in a team of two. 
 y twenty to thirty performers.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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B.A Avatar
September 5, 2010 at 7:39 AM
you should come to japan and write about japan :D ehehehe thnx for always stopping by and checking my writing :)
Brown Avatar
August 6, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Congratulations Dr.Ram on your win in Deborah Guzzy's contest "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 10:29 AM
I'm sorry I missed this earlier, Dr. Ram. Outstanding writing. Congratulations on your win! Love, Carolyn
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 3:13 AM
Very nice. Congratulations on your win.
Culverhouse Avatar
August 4, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Educational write...different cultures are interesting to me!
Sweetheart Avatar
August 4, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Congrats Dr. Ram on this spectacular win for a magnificent poem in Debbie's contest...knew when I read it earlier it was a super winner and now the proof.. enjoy my friend..with luv..
Brown Avatar
August 4, 2010 at 11:41 AM
I enjoyed reading your poetry today Dr.Ram. Please continue you keep your pen flowing. The best to you in the contest. Love, Carol
Guzzi Avatar
August 4, 2010 at 5:46 AM
Such an adventure this read! I would have loved to have been there. Of course it's a bit rough of an area for a single woman to travel. Congrad's on your win. And thanks for all your participation! Light & Love
Sepulvado Anderson Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Wow! very powerful and informative poem. Have a great day! Scarlett
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 7:10 PM
I so enjoyed your creative poem Dr. Ram. It was informative as well as a delight to read. Amazing imagery! I can see this poem in lights already!
Sweetheart Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 3:31 PM
An elegant portrait in words of Korea Dr. Ram .. excellent entry for the contest.. good luck my friend.. this is an amazing inventive piece of work from u and appreciate the footnotes as well..with luv..
Bloomsfield Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Excellent,awesome!Wonderful to introduce me to these new cultures!C.C
Taylor Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Outstanding offering, Doc. Good luck. Ralph
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