julia cho

“there are many ways to say it, but the meaning of life is to become a chunk of charcoal, willingly, for someone else.

from the day floors must be heated until spring arrives, the most beautiful sight on the glorious streets of Korea is a truck, loaded with charcoal, struggling up a hill.

as if it knows its purpose, charcoal burns on and on once its body catches fire. i refused to grasp the lesson though i ate hot soup and rice each day, for i was afraid that after loving with all of my being, i’d be left alone - just a lump of ash.

so far, i’ve never become charcoal for anyone.

yet when i think about it, life is about being broken into chunks.

i never thought to spread myself upon the ice so others might walk more safely when the world is slippery with early morning snow.”

⁃ a chunk of charcoal by ahn do-hyun, translated by david bowles