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Kim Ki-rim · 김기림

Window

유리창

Poem by Kim Ki-rim

A breath-cleared patch in a frosted window opens onto a starry winter night
New illustration for this poem · AI-generated for KoreanPoets
English

Window

Look! my mind is like glass--it clouds so easily, like winter air at the slightest breath. The reaction to my touch looked iron-hard But after only one night of frost it cracked. In snow storms it screams and cries. At daybreak my cheeks are wet with tears. This passion unkindled, a beacon for bats, spending all night gazing at shooting stars. Look! my mind is like glass even in moonlight it so easily breaks.

English · Reprinted from Brother Anthony’s Homepage, as credited in the essay

Korean

유리창

여보 내마음은 유린가봐 겨울 하늘처럼 이처럼 작은 한숨에도 흐려 버리니--- 만지면 무쇠같이 굳은 체하더니 하룻밤 찬 서리에도 금이 갓구료 눈포레 부는 날은 소리치고 우오 밤이 물러간 뒤면 온 뺨에 누물이 아리오 타지 못하는 정열 박쥐들의 등대 밤마다 날아가는 별들이 부러워 쳐다보며 밝히오 여보 내마음은 유린가봐 달빛에도 이렇게 부서지니

Korean original