To You in the Tomb

To You in the Tomb
Yong Wan Choi 12.28.08

You never knew it would be so easy there
did you finally achieve what you wanted before you went
did you share things out fairly before you left
when your taut muscles strained with all their might
wrestling every which way to win your share
each day fluttering like a butterfly's wing was hard
and the unseen people cheering behind you—
you never knew a single one of all those faces
unable to bear the rage of having your meals taken from you
you grabbed some bewildered bystander and hurt him too
and often, alone, felt heartsick regret
in all your years of living, some great event you were first to witness
must have passed by unknown
that's just how it is, that's just how it went
unable to hold on to your first love
you must have sung songs of still greater pleading
at the moment you collapsed exhausted and time stood still
did you ever pray to heaven in tears
was there anyone who prayed for you
even the friends who buried you and went away
believe that you are resting in peace
but buried, you must know by now that there is home
and that they too, at last, will lie down beside you