The Sounds of Korea-W

The Sounds of Korea


I hear the familiar sounds of Korea,
Of the crowing of roosters in the morning,
Of the fields, streams and marketplaces.
The tunes of shamanistic music band
The swirling of fire-lit cans of Jwibul nori,
The soup boiling sounds in a huge pot,
A crisp “tak, tak” sound of soybean burning
And the crackling sounds of dry branches.
Chanting at planting & threshing paddies
The singing of Hori and Gyeori  songs
The striking of the bronze bell of Sangwonsa
Chanting-Beompae to Daeung Amitabh.

In the far-flung village of Sangyu
The flames of the daljips in the rice fields
Soars high in the sky on Jeongwol Daeboreum
Higher the flames, the greater is the harvest
Promising bounteous year and good health.
People dance Pansori at the tunes of Nongak
A feast is being prepared there,
The full moon catches people’s prayers
And spreads it to the high heaven.

Jwibul nori’-Mice burning game is on
Somewhere yet in another village.
The traditional burning of the rice paddies
To chase away the mice from the fields.
With crackling sounds of fireworks,
Warming and fertilizing the frozen fields.


=================================
Third Placement
Contest: Sounds Familiar
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010


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Date: 11/10/2010 5:13:00 AM
Super congrats Dr. Ram on having three poems selected in the first round of competition in the P.S. contest luv.. good luck in the next phase for all three rare beauties my friend...
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Date: 9/11/2010 5:24:00 AM
Congratulations on your work being on homepage this week..Sara
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Date: 9/9/2010 4:47:00 PM
Congradulations on having your poem featured Dr. Ram, I am pleased to have read this, enjoyed, and best wishes to your upcoming days..P.D.
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Date: 9/7/2010 9:57:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Dr. Ram. Love, Carol
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Date: 9/6/2010 8:51:00 PM
I've never felt closer to Korea. Congrats on the feature spot.
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Date: 5/14/2010 8:38:00 AM
Congratulations on your 2nd Place win in the contest, Dr. Ram! Enjoy! Peace, Audrey
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Date: 5/14/2010 4:09:00 AM
I was stationed in Osan AFB Korea in 1976 for a few months TDY (temp. duty) from Yokota AFB Japan. One of my favorite things to do when visiting a new country is to go out into the country away from the base and eat their authentic foods. Unfortunately, I caught Botulism there in Korea and almost died. Afterwards, in the spirit of Buddha, I went and thanked the poor one man portable restaurant on a rickshaw for his wonderful meal.
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Date: 5/10/2010 3:01:00 PM
What sights and sounds a great job! Light & Love
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Date: 5/9/2010 7:09:00 PM
Congratulations on your success with this portrayal of the village life in Korea. The sounds of people celebrating the harvest, feasting and prayers of thanks... much the same the world over I think. A great poem DR Ram. Well done...Margaret
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Date: 5/9/2010 8:55:00 AM
Congrats Dr. Ram on your winning poem in the Sounds Familiar Contest with this wonderful expressive poem.. enjoy another great win..luv.. Linda-Marie..
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Date: 5/9/2010 8:23:00 AM
Interesting way you allow the reader to share in part of this culture. Nice use of imagery. Congratulations on your third place finish in Janette's contest. Another honor for you to enjoy! Keep on writing. Karen
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Date: 4/14/2010 5:14:00 AM
Hello Andrea, I have never visited Korea so far. I was to attend the World Congress of poets in 2006. So I read a lot about Korea and studied its culture and civilisation thro" videos and photos. I wrote the poem on what I gathered then.
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Date: 4/13/2010 12:26:00 PM
This is the best one I've read of yours so far since I starting seeing your poetry. It's an in depth look at your country (I'm guessing it's your country?). Lots of clear concrete details. Very well penned, Dr. Ram. Maybe I will print it out sometime to show my Korean students and ask them if you are mentioning lots of things they are familiar with! Luv, andrea
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Date: 4/12/2010 10:37:00 PM
You made me see it, with your beautiful words, excellent writing.. if you would like to return to my poetry, I have completed the poem called, To Heaven's Gate... love Constance
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Date: 4/12/2010 7:48:00 PM
Your poem is very descriptive of the sounds and nature of Korea. It is like seeing it through your words. You must be from there or have been living there for a while. Very well written. Thank you for sharing. Caroline.
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Date: 4/12/2010 10:44:00 AM
very nice write and thank you for all of your kind comments faleshia
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Date: 4/12/2010 8:11:00 AM
Thank you for your welcome blog comments today Ram.Rgds Brian
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Date: 4/12/2010 7:30:00 AM
An awesome write dear friend, Its poetry such as this which help me get over the fact that I'm too poor to travel to so many of the countries so beautifully describe it poetic writes ! TY for sharing and for your kind comments ! james
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Date: 4/12/2010 5:56:00 AM
I felt as if I were there, although I no nothing about Korea except images from movies and TV news. I enjoyed gaining a mental picture of the sounds, life and tradition in Korea. Thank you. Enjoyed this poem.
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