Oak-Sun's Mother
For My Doll

by Chae Sung-Sook

I am Oak-Sun's mother,
Oak-Sun is my love.

You make me smile.
Oak-Sun, my dear Oak-Sun.
Dressed in silk stripes of grass green, tomato red, butterfly yellow, cloud white
and sky blue.
Your slip sewn together of tattered, thrown away clothes.

I find a torn piece of red balloon among pebbles and dirt near the chain fence.
I suck a circle into my mouth. Out pops a rounded, shiny ball.
My teeth rubs back and forth, squeaking the rubber.
For you, Oak-Sun, your balloon.

I am your mother, Oak-Sun.
I will protect and hide you from the soldiers.
I will look for you, so you cannot see the shattered arms.
I will cuddle you to sleep, so you cannot hear the cries, the cries,
Maybe of a mother who has lost her baby, bloodied and stiff.

I will protect you.
You know Oak-Sun, I am frightened of the night.
I see and think that dying man try and grab for me in the dark.
I will hide you.
Oak-Sun, no one will take you from me.

I feed you a kernel or two of rice. I find one stuck on your cheek.
Just a kernel dried from yesterday's dinner.
We are very lucky, Oak-Sun, having rice two days in a row.
You are very smart too, saving one for tomorrow.
Yes, Oak-Sun, who knows when we will eat again.

Oak-Sun, the sun is out. There are clovers among the grass.
See, I made a bracelet for you and a ring for me,
The white crescent flowers and the three leaves playing together.
I throw you up in the sky. You fall face down in my palms.
I throw you again, you fall with your back down.
Fly higher and again higher, Oak-Sun.

You are with me and I am with you.
I am your mother. Oak-Sun, my love, my doll.