Chapter 57 "Night Whistle"

〔North Korea〕Won Zhenkuan① Is it a night train? The long siren - in the silence of the night. I opened the window, the sleeping city, the dew poured wet light. Only this night train shakes my heart ① Won Jin-kwan is a poet of Joseon.His main works include the poem "Soldiers Sent by Chairman Mao" (1953) with the theme of praising the fighting friendship between North Korea and China, and praising Comrade Kim Il Sung leading the Korean People's Revolutionary Army to liberate Pochonbo in 1937 His poem "Recalling Childhood" (1962) and so on.This poem was translated from an English typescript provided by Comrade Choi Young-hwa, head of the North Korean writers' delegation to China in 1963. ——Translator That was a sad and desolate siren that I heard many years ago.

My father was chained and taken to Seoul, and my elder brother went to North Manchuria as a conscripted laborer. never came back. With a burden on my back, I also took this night train to Beiman. The wheels are choked with sighs, and this mournful night train drives north and south, no matter what season or weather it is. Whenever I hear it it brings tears to my eyes. Now, with the windows open, I listen to the whistle. Is it because you are sad?No! The last night train carrying sadness drove towards the far "past", that was a long time ago——twelve years ago, on the eve of August 15th.

Full of joy and happiness! I couldn't help my excited feelings, opened the window and waved goodbye to you. Send ore and machinery to factories, workers to construction sites, or mothers to daughters' weddings? Can't wait for dawn, started in the middle of the night! The lucky vehicle, the artery of construction, is galloping on the track of the five-year plan! Say hello to the stations in every city and county for me, and keep going. I want to wave goodbye to you.