To Red: A Declaration
Red Shoes
I put on the red shoes you bought for me for the first time.
I went into the game room with my lover whom you knew.
‘Dance Dance Revolution’
I dance a wrong step, and somebody lands painfully on my feet.
Why do you call my name endlessly?
You were standing there with a downcast glance;
you were the hand exchanging coins at the counter of the game room.
Sorry, I am having an affair!
Red Panties
You simply asked to hold my hand and sleep by my side.
It was after my lover whom I know had made his confession.
‘Eli Eli lama sabachthani!’
I thought you had fallen into a dream while snoring,
but why do you call my name endlessly?
I wore a white wing-shaped sanitary napkin on my red panties
and my hips were aching from sitting on the toilet for too long.
Sorry, I am having my period!
Red Radish
You asked me, ‘What’s this desire blazing up?’
My lover whom you knew was good, for he was an impotent, married man.
‘A hundred miles, a hundred miles. . .’
To make five hundred miles, you need to call out at least three more times,
but why do you call my name endlessly?
While I picked up the morning newspaper outside the door with no clothes on,
I came across the man living next door; he was a red radish bitten by me.
Sorry, I am having breakfast!
For more poetry from Min-jeong Kim and to read the rest of ALR Issue 30, visit our eShop to take out a subscription or buy a print or digital copy.
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