An Interesting Gathering

  Everybody is present at an interesting gathering,
relating their age.
 

1 An old lark chatters, "I am three years old."

2 A gingko tree says, "I am a little over four hundred."

3 An entertaining cicada chirrs,
"I am three years old, and this year is my last."

4 An old rock with a host reports,
"I am nearing the end of my six thousandth winter."

5 A colorful flower reveals its beauty,
"I lay hidden four months, I grew four months,
I have blossomed two days, and today is my last."
 

  They are all sprited and satisfied
with what the Creator provides them with,
without any discontents.

6 "I am leaving. Nice to meeting you. Bye."

  "Could you stay any longer?"

  "Pardon me. It is my task I am assigned to,"
and the stream is fading away.

7 "I see many coming, but none is familiar to me."
"How old are you?"

  "Fifty-eight."

  The old rock standing by clicks its tongue,
"Regrettable,"
and the rock adds sighing out,
"Man's life is too short; you are already gray-haired."
 

  I am saying to myself, " ... because of sin ... "

  I am coming to myself and introducing myself again
"I am fifty-eight years old in death,
and thirty-four years old in life
but my age is eternal."
 

  Now they are enlivened.

  The old rock in gray hair declares,
"Bow down in worship, brethren,
this is the church saved in Jesus Christ our Lord,
the temple of Jesus, and
the eternal mediator we are longing for."

  They respond to my introduction wishing in sigh,
"We are waiting on our knees
for you to enter into the perfect liberty."

  I can answer only this now,
"The Lord's zeal will accomplish it,"
since I have a regrettable past.
 

8 "Where is the tiger, and the deer, my fellow creatures?"
"They are out; they will be called in when they are in."
I am replied politely.
 

  Oh Lord,
the redemption of the Lord
be praised and praised forevermore,
the redemption of Christ. Amen.
 

September 20, 1967, Cheongyong-dong valley, Mt. Kumjong