Twilight Variations
By the window I linger, giving color to my fading youth.
Since memory’s swelling dreams drifted into the far distance of time,
my weathered grief still limps through the silence.
The frailty of bygone days dives deep once more;
within my prayers, silver waves lift up a crystal-clear soul,
rising in golden radiance through the crimson glow of twilight.
I thought it would surely break, yet a gentle breath draws near;
reviving the dying ember, it smiles before my eyes.
With willing arms outstretched, I embrace that beautiful spirit.
Gazing Upon the Annapurna Snow Peaks
Are you the goddess of hidden smiles,
or an angel draped in white?
With your snow-white wand of frost,
graceful and untouchable,
you unveil the radiant splendor
of the boundless sky.
Embracing your rising spirit,
I receive a mysterious inspiration;
even graceful romance
finds solace in silent communion.
Within the stillness breathes your solemn majesty—
how deep and breathless is that living breath.
Annapurna, your name
grows lovelier each time I whisper it.
As though I were harvesting at last
the seeds sown at the dawn of creation,
I stand spellbound,
lost in the sacred grace of your silence.
Poet Kim Bubae is a distinguished figure in contemporary Korean sijo literature, recognized for her active literary contributions and dedication to the advancement of traditional Korean poetry. She currently serves as the President of Culture & People, an organization devoted to cultural and literary activities, and holds the position of Honorary President of Daedong Literature. She is also a Board Member of Women’s Sijo Literature and a Member of the Korea Sijo Association, where she continues to promote the preservation and modern development of the sijo tradition.
Throughout her literary career, Kim Bubae has received numerous prestigious awards in recognition of her artistic achievements and contributions to Korean literature. Her honors include the Grand Prize of the Daedong Literary Award, the Grand Prize of the Yi Jun Martyr Literary Award, the Midang Seo Jeong-ju Literary Award, the Top Excellence Award of the Jikji Literary Award, the Grand Prize in the Nationwide Literary Competition of the Chungju Literary Museum, the Nammyeong Jo-sik Literary Award, the Korean Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations (Yesul Chong) Literary Award, the Grand Prize of the Hyangchon Literary Award, the Sinsaimdang Literary Award of Munye Chunchu, and the First Yi Yuksa Memorial Literary Award. She was also selected four times for the Seoul Metro Literary Award and won the New Year Literary Contest in the Sijo Category organized by Culture & People, in addition to many other literary distinctions.
