Seoul Poetry

I felt good after reading “S. Koreans Just Love to Wax Lyrical” (Part I, Dec. 16). Poetry on the front page of one of the greatest newspapers in the world? What a delight.

Think of the thousands of Californians who felt good about reading, after reading the beautiful wording of Kim Duk Ryung (1567-1596). A sampling: “Spring hills,” “unbloomed buds,” “water enough” and “fire within.” Shakespeare was writing at the same time: “Truth is truth . . . . “

If poetry is good for the people of Seoul, could not The Times give us a poem a day? Maybe an unbloomed bud in a gang would read it. Maybe another Kim Duk Ryung would flower. It’s worth a try. Some say society is dying. A poem a day could help.

DUKE RUSSELL

Hollywood