The Sound of My Waves

poetry by Ko Un

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July 20, 2026

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"The Sound of My Waves" is a collection of poetry by the prolific Korean writer Ko Un. First published in English in 1992, the work reflects Ko Un's deep engagement with both Korean culture and broader humanistic concerns. His poetry is often described as demotic and passionate, drawing inspiration from everyday life and common occurrences. While Ko Un was also a significant political activist, his verse is not overtly didactic but rather embraces a Zen-infused sensibility. The collection showcases his ability to capture the rhythm of life, similar to how Virginia Woolf's novel "The Waves" focuses on poetic rhythm over traditional plot. Ko Un's work has gained international recognition, with prominent American poets contributing to translations of his poetry.1

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Ko Un
…of poetry in English translation, The Sound of My Waves, was published in 1992. His later books in English translation included Beyond Self: 108 Korean Zen Poems (1997); Ten Thousand Lives (2005), excerpts from the first 10 volumes of the Ten Thousand Lives project; The Tree Way Tavern (2006); and…
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…of poetry in English translation, The Sound of My Waves, was published in 1992. His later books in English translation included Beyond Self: 108 Korean Zen Poems (1997); Ten Thousand Lives (2005), excerpts from the first 10 volumes of the Ten Thousand Lives project; The Tree Way Tavern (2006); and…
Read More