After All the Birds Have Gone

 

After All the Birds Have Gone

Tough after all 

we who still remain 

just by gathering it is lovingly 

even while building each other’s tombs

even while patting each other’s backs 

When each one turns around

both your arms tight! Opening

across and embracing what 

I did not even recognize as my grave 

I hugged and held harder and harder

lay it out and lay the blanket, stretching four limbs out

I love you I love you even in my sleep 

In this world from which crying birds disappear

only I am left

translated from the Korean by Cindy Juyoung Ok