When it’s June in Jeju

and the hydrangeas in Jongdal-ri fill out

I’ll pluck a hydrangea at nightfall

squeeze out its juice in a juicer and drink it

I want to take on the hydrangea’s juicy tone

so I watch the flowers every day

Come, step right up to me.

I got to know myself inside and out while living on my own

I found I have an artistic temperament

I paint the big picture every day

Maybe that is why I’m single

My identity knows no end.

When I see the travelers who flock to Jeju

the water bowl behind me spills over

It’s all because my shell is thin and weak

I hope they don’t get hurt

I want to tell them:

Don’t fall in love again

©Yeji Yun

The wind blowing in Jeju has pulled out all my feathers

Progress knows no end.

Every day, I imagine running off to Gimpo

I imagine stealing Gimpo

But I won’t run away

I won’t steal

I’m a strange funny person living in Jeju

I make others laugh and laugh a lot by myself too

There’s a lot to laugh about in Jeju

It’s a hard place to live for a fugitive, though

Your laughter will get you noticed right away

Translated by Agnel Joseph