Jacheondae
By Choe Kyu Hong
A thousand years ago, in Jungje-ri,
Where rugged rocks layered upon steep cliffs,
A violet spring once flowed—
The retreat of the scholar Gowoon for quiet study.
In his youth, he knelt and studied so long,
The stones wore thin, marked with traces of his knees,
And thus the name Jacheondae—the Violet Spring Platform.
The well itself seemed to foresee the coming of a sage,
And so sprang forth its violet waters, called Jacheon.
Even a hundred years ago,
This place was lauded as a historic site,
Where pine forests stretched to the horizon
And blooming roses of Sharon created a scenic wonder—
The legendary Myungsasimni coastline.
Relocated to the precinct of Okgu Hyanggyo,
It was enshrined in the Seowon of Moonchanghu.
With fervor, scholars erected Jacheondae anew,
Hosting poetry contests on the fifth day of the fifth month—
And did not the people find joy in this celebration?
