Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Kim Yideum

ÉTUDE

on Covid-19


I walked on the creaking floor
sat in front of the piano
and moved my stiff fingers
because you’re on your way.

The white bed sheets are drying in the garden.
The monsoon season ended
and the tears and sweat I shed until yesterday
evaporated completely into noon. 

I heard the news. Storms, plague, and famine are here again.
I bumped my head against the cupboard
and a glass dropped, but nothing broke
because you’re on your way. 

Spooning rice porridge, Grandma says
I got married during the war and gave birth while evacuating.
If you stay alive, you’ll meet again. 

It’s a common story, but I’m smiling today
like it’s some song I’m hearing for the very first time. 

Dawn is no longer a blue cliff
and night no longer an unfinished end
because you’re on your way.

While I pick songs for us to play together
reclaiming our infinite and lovely hearts
slouching forward, you slowly make your way.

ETUDE

ondanks covid-19

Ik liep over de krakende houten vloer
ging voor de piano zitten
bewoog mijn stijve vingers
want jij bent onderweg.

In de tuin hangen spierwitte lakens aan de waslijn.
Het lange regenseizoen is voorbij
en het zweet, de tranen die ik tot voor kort liet vloeien
versmolten met het middaguur.

Opnieuw storm, hongersnood en epidemie op komst, aldus het nieuws.
Ik stootte mijn hoofd tegen het keukenkastje en liet een glas vallen
maar er brak niets
want jij bent onderweg.

Oma schept pap op en zegt:
Ik ben getrouwd in de oorlog, heb als vluchteling een kind gebaard.
Als je in leven blijft, zie je elkaar terug.

Cliché, maar vandaag lach ik erom
als om een liedje dat ik voor het eerst hoor. 

Zonsopgang is geen blauwe afgrond meer
en de avond geen onvolmaakt einde
want jij bent onderweg.

Terwijl ik een liedje kies om samen te spelen
om een grenzeloos liefdevol gevoel te hervinden
kom jij op je dooie gemak hierheen.

에튀드

-코로나 19 시절에도 불구하고


삐걱거리는 마루 위를 걸어갔다
피아노 앞에 앉았다
굳어 있던 손가락이 움직였다
네가 올 거니까 

정원에는 새하얀 침대 카버가 마르고 있다
긴 장마가 끝났다
어제까지 흘린 눈물과 땀이 빈틈없이 사라지는 정오 

다시 폭풍과 기근, 역병이 올 거라는 뉴스가 들렸다
찬장 모서리에 머리를 부딪치고 유리잔을 떨어뜨렸지만
아무것도 깨지지 않았다
네가 올 거니까

숟가락으로 죽을 뜨며 할머니가 말한다
전쟁 중에서 결혼하고 피난 중에서 아기를 낳았다고
살아 있으면 만난다고

흔한 말인데 오늘따라 웃음이 난다
처음 듣는 음악처럼 귀에 들어온다
네가 올 거니까
새벽은 더 이상 푸른 절벽이 아니고
밤은 더 이상 미완의 종말이 아니다 

우리가 함께 연주할 곡을 고르는 동안
무한하고 사랑스러운 마음을 되찾는 동안
더디게나마 네가 오고 있는 동안

Close

ÉTUDE

on Covid-19


I walked on the creaking floor
sat in front of the piano
and moved my stiff fingers
because you’re on your way.

The white bed sheets are drying in the garden.
The monsoon season ended
and the tears and sweat I shed until yesterday
evaporated completely into noon. 

I heard the news. Storms, plague, and famine are here again.
I bumped my head against the cupboard
and a glass dropped, but nothing broke
because you’re on your way. 

Spooning rice porridge, Grandma says
I got married during the war and gave birth while evacuating.
If you stay alive, you’ll meet again. 

It’s a common story, but I’m smiling today
like it’s some song I’m hearing for the very first time. 

Dawn is no longer a blue cliff
and night no longer an unfinished end
because you’re on your way.

While I pick songs for us to play together
reclaiming our infinite and lovely hearts
slouching forward, you slowly make your way.

ÉTUDE

on Covid-19


I walked on the creaking floor
sat in front of the piano
and moved my stiff fingers
because you’re on your way.

The white bed sheets are drying in the garden.
The monsoon season ended
and the tears and sweat I shed until yesterday
evaporated completely into noon. 

I heard the news. Storms, plague, and famine are here again.
I bumped my head against the cupboard
and a glass dropped, but nothing broke
because you’re on your way. 

Spooning rice porridge, Grandma says
I got married during the war and gave birth while evacuating.
If you stay alive, you’ll meet again. 

It’s a common story, but I’m smiling today
like it’s some song I’m hearing for the very first time. 

Dawn is no longer a blue cliff
and night no longer an unfinished end
because you’re on your way.

While I pick songs for us to play together
reclaiming our infinite and lovely hearts
slouching forward, you slowly make your way.

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère