Burn yourself out

don’t burn by halves

burn and burn

till you turn to ashes

what use is

a half burnt stump?

If you’d stop halfway

just don’t start

stay unburnt

like greenwood

but if you’re for burning

burn yourself out

burn all the way

burn to ashes

“Love” by Lee Un-sang (Rohsan), 1903-1982

Translation adapted from Master Sijo Poems From Korea, Classical and Modern,

selected and translated by Jaihiun Joyce Kim. Seoul: Si-sa-yong-o-sa Publishers, 1982