2025

Hayoon Kim
ES, South Korea

Inside all of our hearts,
there is an invisible timer.
Like Mom
I feel mom’s timer a little more special.

When we smile,
Mom’s timer ticks slowly,
peaceful like a quiet breeze,
gentle like a calm ripple of water.

But when we get irritated or upset,
her timer begins to race
swift as a fierce snowstorm,
hurried like a raging storm.

Sometimes I wonder,
what will happen
when her timer finally runs out?
Shh… at that moment,
maybe Mom won’t be by our side anymore.

That’s why, you know
if we want to stay with Mom longer,
and make many happy memories,
we need to help her timer
flow slowly.

I hope that today with Mom
shines forever,
and that days are always joyful and filled with happiness.

Original in Korean

Hayoon Kim
ES, South Korea

Spring, Spring
You always come to find us.
You, who arrive after ending the long, long winter,
are like a warm romantic film.

Spring, Spring
You always give us hope.
A new semester, a new grade, a new beginning
Don’t you know how full of hope you are?

Spring, Spring
With you, I’m always happy.
The cool breeze, the beautiful flowers, and us shining because we’re together.
I want to enjoy today with you even more.

Sometimes I pass you by without noticing.
Sometimes winter gets jealous of us.
Sometimes you leave too quickly

But when you’re by my side,
I feel like I have the whole world.
I’ll always be here.
waiting for you

Even when you eventually go away,
You’ll come back again someday.
Don’t forget me until then.
I’ll miss you too, but I’ll be waiting.

Original in Korean