Poet's words
pretty

[Included in Na Tae-joo's textbook]

Happiness 2 14
Wildflower 16
Bus 18 from the sea
Touch 20
I love you 22
The sound of the wind in the bamboo forest, heard over the back 24
Living 26
30 Under the Bamboo Grove
Snow in March 34
Walking along the field road 36
Flower 38
Beautiful People 40

[Recommended by Na Tae-joo Library]

Life is a journey with you 44
Gift 48
Wildflowers 2 50
Psalm 2:52
You too 54
Trying to put the baby to sleep 56
Prayer Before Bedtime 58
Psalm 160
Oasis 62
Therefore 64
66 in the middle of the night
Dazzling World 68

[A poem chosen by father and daughter]

Sunday 72
The Sparrow Cries 74
Name calling 76
Stepping Stones 78
I miss my friend who transferred schools 80
Huh? 82
Song 84
Happiness 1 86
Petal 88
Three Ducks 90
Hello, Flowers 92
Greetings to the Dog Grass 94
Sky Child 96
Shoes 98
Mom, disappear 100
Mother's Heart 102
Mom's Footsteps 104
Mom and Dad's Blame 106
Mom said 108
I'm against it 110
Five years old 112
Summer Days 114
116 leaving you behind
Star 118
Baby feet 120
Navi Unnie 122
The River and I 124
Long way 128
Forced - 130 for middle school students
132 for middle school students
Back to middle school 134
Parents' Day 136
Following the example of Mother's words 138
Testament - To Son, To Daughter 142

Editor's Note

A pretty lady who dreamed of leaving her long hair to her mother,
A long-time protagonist in Na Tae-joo's works!
The poet's daughter, Professor Na Min-ae of Seoul National University, added a loving commentary.

Na Tae-ju's poems are full of love and affection for children.
As I read poems expressing concern, encouragement, and courage for children, from a stranger I met in passing to my daughter, grandson, and countless middle school students, I can sense just how much the poet loves children.
Poet Na Tae-joo writes poetry when he has a childlike heart and looks at the world in a new, wonderful, and positive way.
Isn't our world still beautiful because there are poets and adults who strive to preserve the innocence of children who only see the world in a positive light?

Professor Na Min-ae of Seoul National University, the beloved daughter who appears in Na Tae-ju's poetry and is the main character, has provided commentary on all the works included in this collection.
Professor Na Min-ae closely observed the life of Na Tae-ju, who was a father, poet, and teacher, and received all of his love.
Professor Na Min-ae's honest commentary, written sometimes as Na Tae-ju's daughter, sometimes as a mother raising a daughter and son, and sometimes as an expert who studies and critiques poetry, adds even more enjoyment to reading poetry.
Reading the commentary, which includes stories of the poet's childhood, the scenery of his country home, stories of his beloved wife, daughter, and grandson, stories of the poet who walked his entire life rather than driving, and images of his father's swollen hands from signing autographs for students all day, will bring you closer to poet Na Tae-ju and allow you to understand and empathize with his poetry.


I hope that readers of this collection will once again remember that we are all daughters and sons, loved by someone.
I hope that children will read this book and realize that the most precious thing in the world is themselves.
I hope that adult readers will remember that they too were children with infinite potential, and that they can give only blessings, love, respect, and faith to all children in the world.


The Poet's Words: "A Thumping Heart"

Poetry is originally for children, not adults.
Even when adults write poetry, it is only when they have a childlike mind that poetry is written.
Because poetry is written only when we see something new, interesting, and good.
Poetry cannot be written without a fluttering heart.

Yes, that's right.
A fluttering heart.
A fluttering heart is a child's.
It's hard to say that I've written all my poems like that so far.
But I can say that the poems collected in this book were written with such a trembling heart.
It's a blessing to all.
This book is a collection of poems that were included in school textbooks, and also a collection of poems that I think our students would enjoy reading.
Moreover, Professor Na Min-ae of Seoul National University, who is also my daughter, is said to be providing commentary.
It's a very special and grateful thing.

I hope this book will fall into the hands of our young friends and be read with kind hearts.
I also hope that my fluttering heart becomes their fluttering heart.
I would also like to express my gratitude to President Jeong Jung-mo and Editor-in-Chief Seo Kyung-jin of Yeollimwon, who published this book.

Na Tae-joo

Editor's Note: "A Heart That Discovers Children Like a Child"

People think that only poems written by children and read by young children are children's poems.
But no.
All poetry is poetry that makes you see through the eyes of a child and return to the heart of a child.
There is no distinction between adults and children when it comes to enjoying poetry.
There lives a primordial child within us.
If there is a poem that allows us to meet and discover that child, it is poetry.

When adults read it, they come to love the children of the world and the children in their hearts more.
When children read, they learn more about themselves, their friends, the world, and their hearts.
In this way, we must constantly guard and confirm the child's heart.
That often gives me the strength to live.

Poet Na Tae-ju is my father.
The life of my father, whom I have observed for 45 years, was close to that of a child.
The father's poem was close to the act of holding and loving the primordial child.
My father collected the precious, clean, and valuable things in the world and put them into poetry.
I collect them in this book and send it to every child.
Your child deserves to be loved.
The child you are is precious in itself.
I hope that every child who reads this book will recognize their own precious value.
It's not common for a poet father to write poetry and a critic daughter to provide commentary.
This will probably be our last work.
During that time, I received a lot of love from my child-like father.
I would like to share it with your children.
We hope that all of our children will grow up blessed with love.

Na Min-ae

-Curriculum linkage
*2-1 Korean 1.
Enjoy poetry
*2-2 Korean 1.
Recalling the scene
*2-2 Korean 5.
A song I want to keep
*3-1 Korean 10.
The scent of literature
*3-2 Korean 4.
Express your appreciation
*4-1 Korean 1.
Share your thoughts and feelings
*4-2 Korean 9.
Read and share your emotions
*5-1 Korean Reading Unit.
Read books and broaden your mind
*5-1 Korean 2.
Appreciate the work
*6-1 Korean 1.
metaphorical expression