Two poems by Yoon, Jong-nam (Korean poetess)

 

Yoon, Jong-namis a Korean poetess. Born inYangju-si, Gyeonggi-do,South Korea. She published one poetry book and won 2 literature awards.

She is a Vice President of Ieodo Literature Association.

Butterfly learning

by Yoon, Jong-nam

On the stone wall road at the head of the radish field, a white butterfly quietly sits

Is it a mating gesture or intoxicated by the scent of flowers?

Even with the flowing wind, folded wings won't open

Like a guest who is hand reaching for the flowers

Throw whole body into a lifeless existence

Maybe misunderstood the street number, it's quiet like a saint

Showing interest even in thoughtless stones

Have I reached a moderation that is so hard to reach?

One life that breaks down distant walls shines

나비 학습

윤종남

무밭머리 돌담길에 줄흰나비살금 앉아

짝짓는 몸짓인가, 꽃향기에 취했는가

흐르는 바람결에도 접은 날개 펴지 않네

꽃들에게 다가서는 길손으로 알았는데

생명 없는 존재에게 온몸을 던져 놓고

번지수 잘 못 짚은 걸까, 성자처럼 고요하네

생각 없는 돌에게도 관심을 보이다니

그토록 이르기 힘든 중용에 다다른 걸까

아득한 벽도 허무는 한생애가 반짝이네

🌼

Square or round

by Yoon, Jong-nam

When you can't see what's far away

When you can't hear what's close

I finally realized that I was ageing

My hair is thinning and my back is bent

The flickering of lights that cannot be reached at your fingertips

Memories of the blue days were leaning one side

Those days I lived hurt more than the tomorrow I will live

I'm standing in an alley that doesn't get much sunlight

That bristletails are creeping on the faded wallpaper pattern

모나게, 혹은 둥글게

윤종남

저 멀리 있는 것이 잘 보이지 않을 그때

가까이 있는 것이 잘 들리지 않을 그때

비로소 내가 저문다는 걸 깨닫게 되었다

머리카락 가늘어지고 허리도 굽어지고

손끝에 닿지 않는 불빛의 깜박거림

푸른 날 기억 한쪽이 기울고 있다는 걸

살아갈 내일보다 살아온 날 더 아파서

햇볕 잘 들지 않는 골목길 서성이며

빛 바랜 벽지 무늬로 좀이 슬고 있다는 걸