Pak Mogwol (South Korea): Footprints
Footprints
Pak Mogwol
Evening comes in the color of grapes
to the snow-covered frontline.
Within the truce zone
foxes wander with frozen noses,
weaving their way among trees
and disappear over the head of the stream.
A pheasant flutters up in surprised flight
from a tangled thornbrush.
Footprints come alive
as dawn brings light.
Within the tightening dragnet
of the search party, mountain berries
peep out in the snow
like drops of blood, a stifled cry.