Oh, Seoul -- your memory stretches before me
and your spirit, I hold it in my soul.

The sky seems full of Mugunghwa (1) for me,
and Cheonggyecheon, (2) the wanderer of love
flows through my core.

Speak to me, Oh Seoul! O light of the dawn.

I hold both my hands together up to salute you
and the heaven, earth, fire, and water of Taegeuki (3)
melts my despair away, gives sunshine to my eyes.

"Seoul, you are gorgeous!"

How can I govern the kingdom of my heart
without you, my Seoul?
Without you, my reign will be short.
My existence will fade, and my senses rot.

Seoul, you are part of me. I feel that.
Your thought brings sweetness into my heart
such as I see in the dream of my dreams
of conjugal sanctity and nuptial rites.

Earthly heaven, I am in love with you.
Loving you, what must I lose?
May be myself from me, but I don't refute,
yet fearless, unafraid, I will love you.

You who are finer than Sapphire.
Seoul! My Soul! My Pride!

My life has become richer by your thoughts.
The fountain of your memories stirs
the emotions of my heart.
And the salted Kimchi (4)
still lingers on my tongue.

Forget, I shall never forget you.
The gates of my memories are open
in the home where I dwell alone -- all alone.

Thinking about you, and only you,
Seoul! My soul! My Pride!

May be some day, I shall visit you
and have bibimbap (5) and doenjangjjigae (6) with you.

Maybe I shall wear hanbok, (7)
and dance to the tunes of gugak (8) with you.

I am lost in you.
O Seoul! How potent has been your thought?
O Seoul! How eternal has been our love?

Copyright 2007 Bhuwan Thapaliya



This poem is dedicated to Seoul, which I was fortunate to visit last year courtesy of the OhmyNews International.

Notes:

1. National Flower of South Korea
2. Stream that flows through Seoul
3. National Flag of South Korea
4. Most famous Korean food
5. A mixture of rice, vegetables, egg, and hot pepper paste
6. A bean paste soup
7. Korea's traditional costume
8. Traditional Korean music