Upon the Banks of Han
Honolulu, HI
2024, Senior, Poetry & Spoken Word
In the heart of Seoul, there flows a river,
The Han, a lifeline, a soulful giver.
Through centuries, she gracefully wound,
A symbol of life in history.
I recall the days of youthful hang-outs,
When the Han shimmered under the sun’s blaze.
Her waters, clear as a morning sky,
Mirrored the world with an honest eye.
But time, unfortunately, has altered her face,
Climate’s cruel hand, changed her appearance.
No longer do her clear waters flow,
Replaced by a greenish, eerie water.
Once, her banks teemed with life so diverse,
Birds in their dance, nature’s own verse.
Birds that danced upon her shores,
Their melodies, now distant sounds.
The creatures of the river, once vibrant,
Fade into shadows, where they once swam free.
Now, the silence hangs heavy and deep,
A loss that makes the soulful cry.
I’ve watched her change, year by year,
A witness to the climate’s growing response.
The Han, once proud, now bears the scar,
Of a world racing fast and far.
Han’s story is ours, a shared refrain,
In her healing, our loss becomes gain.
Not just water, but a lifeline shared,
A testament to how much we’ve cared.
Communities rising, hands unite,
To restore the Han, to set her right.
We plant the seeds of hope on her shore,
Teach our children what we’re fighting for.
It’s not just a river, but a legacy,
A symbol of our unity and tenacity.
For the Han is more than just a stream,
She’s the heart of a nation’s dream.
In her water, our history flows,
A testament of resilient times.
So let this story be a guiding star,
Of how we healed a wound so cruel.
In the Han’s reflection, may we see,
A future where both rivers and people are free.
Free from the chains of climate’s rage,
A new chapter, a hopeful page.
For in our hands, the power resides,
To change the course of these troubled tides.
And on the banks of the Han, we’ll stand,
Guardians of this precious land.
Reflection
Reflecting on writing "Upon the Banks of Han," I find myself excited to be able to connect my personal experiences with the broader narrative of climate change. The inspiration for this poem stemmed from a deep connection to the Han River in Seoul, a significant part of my Korean heritage. This river, once a symbol of clarity and life, has become a representation of the environmental changes in Korea. The Han River, with its altered state due to environmental changes, served as a great metaphor for the broader impacts of climate change on natural beauty and biodiversity. Creating this poem brought a variety of emotions to me. Nostalgia for the clear waters of my youth was coupled with sadness over its current state. However, as I wrote down the poem, these feelings transformed into hope and determination, reflecting the potential for positive change through collective action. The message I hope to deliver through this poem is one of awareness, responsibility, and optimism. While it highlights the adverse effects of climate change, it also emphasizes our capacity for resilience and unity in the face of environmental challenges. I wrote this poem as an invitation to acknowledge our role in contributing to these changes and our power to effect positive change. Overall, to me, "Upon the Banks of Han" is more than just a poem; it's a reflection of my journey through understanding and responding to the challenges of climate change. It represents a personal and collective call to action, urging us to not only recognize our impact on the environment but to also take meaningful steps towards preserving and restoring the natural world for future generations.