Venice masks

Monday, 16 March 2026

Oh that I might capture the essence - Hwang Jini

Oh that I might capture the essence of this deep midwinter night
And fold it softly into the waft of a spring-moon quilt,
Then fondly uncoil it the night my beloved returns.

Hwang Jini [Hwang Chin-i,  Hwang Jin-Yi, pen name Myeongwol "Bright Moon"] (c.1506 - c.1565) Korea
Translated by Larry Gross
Source: Sijo Masters in Translation
Note: the reference to  a spring moon is most likely a reference to the poet herself. 

 

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