Sunlight through Prison Bars by Kim Nam-ju

 

When I put out a hand
sunlight that comes to my hand, growing lovely.
When I turn a cheek
sunlight that comes to my cheek, warming.
Together with the deepening fall
it grows longer and longer
as long as a squirrel’s tail.
When it wraps itself round my neck
it becomes a scarf my sister knit for me.
When it comes to touch my lips
it also becomes love
a girl and I used to share long ago.

 

(translated from the Korean by geul)

original in Korean