Doll

Doll
Yong Wan Choi 02.06.12

A body stitched on a sewing machine in a tiny back room, thread wound strand by strand
born stitch by stitch to be loved

by day Myeong-dong, by night Garosu-gil
a heart harried outside with no time to breathe
back home in damp underwear, makeup worn away
the body stripped bare, lying down listlessly

skin creased by fleeting ties and the years
when the soiled yesterday departs
and today arrives in new clothes
you build tomorrow's dream on a smiling face
to tend each day with care
you came all this way seeking a cozy nest

where did you leave your soul, you with a human's bearing?
even if in the end the neighbors all leave and the seats go empty
life and death in a single smile
I will keep your unchanging love as my one thing