Kim Eon Hee (b. 1953) is the author of seven poetry collections, including Have You Been Feeling Blue These Days? (Noemi Press, 2019), translated into English by Eunsong Kim and Sung Gi Kim. Her visceral, uncompromising work has inspired collaborations with installation artist Mire Lee and earned Korea’s most prestigious literary honors: the 2004 Bak In-hwan Literary Award, 2005 Gyeongnam Literary Award, 2013 Yi Sang Literary Award, 2014 Poetry and Thought Literary Award, 2016 Cheongma Literary Award, and 2025 Oh Janghwan Literary Award. A cornerstone of Jinju’s literary scene, Kim has mentored generations of emerging poets from her hometown.

TRANSLATION

"Like This" and other poems

By KIM EON HEE

“—i never thought i’d ever need a conscience like some handy bulletproof vest to rip on and off”