The Way Home

The Way Home

         after the Korean movie of that name

In her hand circling over her heart;
in her reach, an attempt to touch this child:

know all grandmothers are the same.

From one generation to the next,
fouls words will not deter her;
strong wills will not bend her.
She remains grounded as the soil she tends.

This child rejects what he can't receive,
fears what's misunderstood.
Even bugs frighten him;
he watches her release one to the wind.
And learns this lesson:
his anger cannot defend him
from her heart.

In her hand circling over her heart
she reaches out to his.

© Kåre Enga 2008 [164.463] 2008-01-13

Note: to find this movie, Jibeuro (its Korean title):

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312841/

The 78-year-old villager and non-actress 'Eul-boon Kim' had not only never performed in a movie before 'Jibeuro', but she had never before *seen* a film. She was found during an extensive talent search among real rural village people by director Lee Jeong-hyang to play the lead role of the stoic, heroic mute grandmother.