The first-ever dual-language collection of sijo poems by Kim Ilyeon in Korean and English
Reflections that are incomparably old and new, Korean and universal
Since the beginning of her writing career in 1980, Kim Ilyeon has published collections of sijo poetry every two to four years, for over four decades thus cementing herself as one of the most pivotal figures working in the genre.
All the Daughters of the Earth
, her first dual-language poetry collection featuring her original Korean sijo alongside their English translations, devotes its first section to verses about Kim’s parents and her daughter who lives overseas. This emphasis on universal human sentiments of familial love is an attempt to connect with readers in other countries. As in her past collections, Kim uses a delicate and warm tone to offer her own unique interpretations of objects and life. While her work stays true to the traditional
sijo
framework, the 66 poems in this collection are also presented in free and contemporary ways.