Jina Song

Pacific Bridge Jina Song

In Jin A Song's collection, Pacific Bridge, an astonishing array of talent is displayed as she reminisce about her mother country, South Korea, her relationship with her father, and her meditations on life. The original emotion and fresh insight touch each of her subjects. In "If You Ever Try to Find My Home, Follow Traces I Leave", for instance, a voice colorfully leads the reader to her home in Pusan. In "My Dad" she excellently describes her love for her father, who at times out of loneliness drinks with his buddies, but is always willing to make the long journey to the U. S. to see her daughter. In the "Melancholy" and "Silence" sections, she exhibits the ability to tap into the darker side of life. But in the "Homeland", "Father", and "Nature" sections, she often taps into a brighter side of life showing us that she is not a one-dimensional poet. At times when reading this book, we are reminded of the ever-changing social dynamics in this world. We are also reminded of the beauty that travels and out-of-placeness creates. The book helps us understand that we are all citizens of the world.