O wondrous, mysterious Ainu maiden,
Clad in golden robes,
You lift the sky again
And bear it high.
Ms. Heo, Yunjeong (許允禎) is an eminent poetess of Korea
Poetess Ms. Heo Yunjeong, born in Sancheong-gun, Korea, began her literary career in 1980 with the publication of her poems in the Hyundae Munhak (Modern Literature). She later founded the poetry magazine Mack, serving as its publisher and editor for 11 years. Ms. Heo is currently an executive member of PEN Korea Center, a member of the Planning Committee of the Korean Poets’ Association, and a member of the South-North Exchange Committee of the Korean Writers’ Association. She has published several poetry collections, including Among them are A Corner of the Empty Sky, The Secret of the Crested Ibis, At the Gate of Tiny Wildflowers, The Land of Stars, The House Where Double Plum Blossoms Bloom, A Seorae Village Woman, One Hundred One-Line Poems and many others. Her literary achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, such as the 1st Baekja Art Award, the 1st Sinsaimdang Literary Award, PEN Korea Center Prize for Literature (2016), and the 20th Korean Writers’ Association Award (2023).
Prayer of the Adonis Amurensis
Prayer of the Adonis AmurensisThe season, in this midnight hour,
Gathers and masters itself
To the cry of the scops owl,
Opens its heavy eyelids,
And comes, bearing spring upon its head.
In this courtyard where still remain
Winter’s grimy, soiled traces of lingering snow
You carry golden sunlight of restoration,
Holding it in a flower cup.
O wondrous, mysterious Ainu maiden,
Clad in golden robes,
You lift the sky again
And bear it high.
***
복수초의 기도
소쩍새 울음소리
추스리는 이 한밤중
무거운 눈꺼풀 열고
봄을 이고 오시네
겨울의
땟자국 묻은 잔설
남아 있는 이 뜨락에
수복의 황금 햇살을
꽃잔에 담아들고
경이롭고 신비한
아이누 여인이어
황금색
가사를 걸치고
하늘 받쳐 또 이고
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