The unspoken words,

These are the words of water.

Ms. Na Suk Ja, a poetess from Korea, the Land of Morning Calm, shares her poem

Poet Ms. Na Suk Ja was born in 1951 in Naju, Jeollanam-do. She received the New Writer’s Award from Munyesajo in 1992. Her poetry collections include For a Small Freedom and The Trees That Build a House Within Me. She has also contributed to poetry anthologies such as Thinking of Rose Tea, among many others. She serves as a board member of the Korean PEN Center and the Korean Women Writers’ Association. She has received several awards, including recognition at the Eight Writers’ Art Exhibition and the Yeongnang Literary Award.

The Words of Water

Listening to the sound of water,

Its flowing voice is low and quiet,

Beginning with a single drop.

It makes way for others,

Always flowing to the lowest place.

At times, it clashes and scrapes,

Swirling in turbulent motion.

As it grows,

It looks to the side, looks ahead,

With the grace to divert its course,

Embracing and carrying all,

Flowing gently onward.

The unspoken words,

These are the words of water.

***

물의 말씀

물의 소리를 듣는다

흐르는 소리가 낮고 조용하다

한 방울로 시작해

곁을 내주며

늘 낮은 곳으로 흐르는 이유

때론 싸우고 할퀴며

휘돌아 칠 때도 있다

몸을 키워가는 동안

옆도 보고 앞도 보고

비껴갈 수 있는 여유로움

품고 보듬으며 유유히 간다

말없음의 말

물의 말씀이다

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Read: Mask – Poetry from Korea