In dodree’s “Lilac,” this line is beautifully restrained:

꺾지 못할 바엔

또 향만 맡고 가지요

꺾다 means to break, snap, or pick.

When used with flowers, 꽃을 꺾다 means “to pick a flower.”

So 꺾지 못할 바엔 means:

“if I can’t pick it”

“if I can’t take it for myself”

Then comes:

향만 맡고 가지요

향 = scent / fragrance

맡다 = to smell

-만 = only / just

Literally:

“If I can’t pick it,

I’ll just smell its fragrance and leave.”

But emotionally, it feels closer to:

“If I can’t have it,

I’ll only come close enough to remember the scent.”

That’s what makes the lyric so delicate.

It is not about taking.

It is about wanting, holding back, and leaving quietly.

Which hurts more?

🌸 wanting to keep the flower

or

🌫️ only remembering the scent?