Prison
Prison written by: Pek-êng Koa translated by: C. J. Anderson-Wu Dark clouds shroud the moon; prison trees...
Pek-êng Koa
Pek-êng Koa is an acclaimed Taiwanese poet. He taught himself writing in Taiwanese language during his 17-year incarceration, due to two charges of robbery. Koa’s poetry, written primarily in Taiwanese, reveals the beauty and rhythm of the mother tongue while confronting themes of freedom, dignity, and human struggle. His creative voice was profoundly shaped by his prison experience, which gave his work a distinctive tone of resistance and reflection. He published collections including The Spring of Soybeans, Love Letters from Chihkan Tower, and Fireflies in the Inner Fence, and his series poems Prison Sketches drew wide attention for its stark portrayal of confinement. Throughout his writing career, Pek-êng Koa has won more than thirty literature awards.
