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.