Notes from the North

What are contemporary poets writing today? I recently stumbled upon the works of an internationally renowned Korean-American poet. What a powerful, almost hammering yet beautifully crafted poem that moved me deeply! We know far too little about Korea’s history – from the Korean War to the Japanese occupation. In her poem, the state of affairs is conveyed with striking intensity. Despite the clear, direct language, the content is elevated, and its clarity and aesthetic depth resonated deeply with me. It doesn’t stop at mere descriptions or laments but offers a lesson in poetic aesthetics. These three brief poems are part of a collection titled Notes from the North, where “North” refers to North Korea. For Suji, a Korean poet born in the U.S., writing is an act of intellectual and brilliant protest. And I, too, will continue to compose!