The Fisherman's Calendar by Yun Sondo - HTML preview

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SEEING A BEGGAR’S BODY(Seven character, Yulshi)




The rhyme is hyang/yang/ryang/sang; tones match and there is parallel expression in the second and third couplets though it is not very clear in the English of couplet three.



I don’t know your family name; I don’t even know your given name.

How could I know the mountains and streams of your home! 

Mornings, swarms of buzzing flies stick to your rotting corpse; 

evenings, caw-cawing crows are tearful mourners.

A short stick is the sum of your possessions;

the few remaining scoops of rice are what you managed to beg.

Village men, listen to me, please!

Bring a few baskets of clay; cover him from wind and frost.