FISH CAKE
by D.J. YOON
After school, I walked on by
A snack shop caught my little eye.
Kids were gathered, warm and bright
Eating fish cake, pure delight.
Some were sipping steamy soup,
Huddled close, a happy group.
Next to them, not in the crowd
Stood a boy who wasn't loud.
His face was dark, his clothes were worn
His pants were patched, a little torn.
He watched the pot with quiet care
A finger in his mouth, just there.
He didn’t buy, he didn’t chew —
I guessed he had no coins, maybe.
He looked, then looked again with hope,
Then slowly turned and down the slope.
As he walked off, slow and small,
I felt my heart begin to fall.
I think I saw him here before,
Two days ago, near this same store.
THAT LITTLE BOY with quiet eyes
Worn-out pants and silent sighs.
오뎅
-윤동재
학교 공부 마치고
집으로 돌아가는 길,
아이들이 몇 명
문방구점 앞에 쭉 둘러서
오뎅을 사 먹고 있었다
뜨거운 국물을 입으로 호호 식혀 가며
마시는 아이도 있었다
그 아이들 옆에는
1학년쯤으로 보이는
흙 묻은 바지에 까무잡잡한 얼굴을 한
아이 하나,
손가락 입에 넣고
오뎅이 담긴 솥을
멍하니 바라보고 있었다
사 먹고는 싶었으나
가진 돈이 없었을까,
몇 번이고 오뎅을 먹고 있는
아이들을 쳐다보더니
이윽고 돌아서 버렸다
힘없이 걸어가는 그 아이가
저만큼
멀어지고 나서 생각해 보니
이번만이 아니었던 것 같다
그저께도 또 그 언젠가도
여기서 그 아이를 본 것 같다
흙 묻은 바지에 얼굴이 까만 그 아이
Appreciation Review 感想
This is a gentle, touching poem that captures a quiet moment of childhood empathy with simple, poetic language that children can understand.
The imagery is vivid and relatable — steamy soup, warm snacks, and a lonely child on the edge of the group — inviting young readers to notice what often goes unseen.
The rhythm flows naturally, and the emotional tone is soft but powerful, encouraging kindness and awareness of others.
It's a meaningful poem that stays with the reader, reminding us how even small moments can hold deep stories.
#오뎅 #그 아이
