Candle

When you say Joy to the World

it’s like—Joy, my death has come

When you say Our Joyful Days of Youth

it’s like—Joyful day he murdered me

When you preach the Gospel of Joy

it’s like—Please spread the happy news of my death!

Is it because of double p? Pappaoppahappy are in cahoots

finally coming for me

Get out, get out, get out of my room!—

I know I should set myself on fire to kick you out

But I wept the most when high school girls

their arms locked marched and cried—

Get out, get out, get out of my room!

When someone sobbing gets in the face of

another sobber, igniting in tears

ghosts bore holes through your red sleeves

and scatter on the first day of snow

and stars stay inverted

till they’re caressed

When you say Lord of Joy gives us bright light

it’s like—my eyes glow as they sprout from my body’s ashes

When you put out this light

it’s like—all the birds of the world can’t spread their wings

Notes:

Read the Korean-language version, "초."