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Open Poetry #37
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She is a Geisha
| Open Poetry #37 |
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She is a Geisha |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland 
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The girl cries confused weak. Sleep had been her friend not ten minutes ago. Her mother, shaking cloth pressed to her eyes But nothing could stop her cries. She sits eyes downcast, lidded with uncertainty, and plagued by her pleas for home. Slowly, slowly she bends Presses her hands into the floorboards. Head bowed. And a tap on her shoulder brings her eyes skyward. Folds of grace in the guise of a kimono And eyes, bright and knowing glint. The Okiya's Mother. A nod. Brisk Certain and the little girl begins a lifelong art. She must endure pain disomfort For she must be graceful, beautiful Captivating. She dances, and her eyes ablaze with contained laughter hold the men hold them She has caught them in her spell She is wise, and she is clever She is beauty She is art She is art A wrist, held so delicately entrances encaptures. Her neck, tongues of skin pointing down. Her face wears a white mask and that is all it is. A mask. A small red stain on her lips crystallised sugar lustre A small circle on her lips. She is a geisha And she is a moving work of art.  [This message has been edited by playing.with.crayons (03-21-2006 09:13 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2006 cheye - All Rights Reserved | |||
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
I saw the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha"... a very sad touching story...your words brought that back to me M |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland |
It is a sad thing that westernising of the culture demeans it into something not unlike prositution when it wasn't at all. For some reason it made me want to write. imagine that! thank you for reading xx farewell the ash-tray girl |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
I read the book and fell in love with it several years ago and the movie was beautifully done. Geisha was a noble profession and you have reminded us. "A small red stain on her lips crystallised sugar lustre A small circle on her lips." How delicate and beautiful... you capture her. |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
She is and so is this piece. Well done! Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
 Nicely done. Traditional true Geishas are NOT prostitutes. Thanks for sharing this artful write. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
an absolutely stunning portrayal of Geisha Very much enjoyed this.  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Beautiful writing.....much enjoyed.  ...jo |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland |
*very flattered* thanks everyone I really enjoyed writing this piece. happy writing xx farewell the ash-tray girl |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice descriptive writing...James |
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cody 2 Junior Member
since 2006-03-12
Posts 48london |
they were the chosen few and a good life compared to many young girls,nicely written |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland |
Their lives were indeed good compared to some but they were also hard and demanding. Actually the main reason people assume they're prostitutes is because of the American occupation of Japan after WW2. Women who were desperate for money would paint their face and call themselves a geisha. I believe there was a line in the book, Memoirs of a Geisha that went something like this: "Geisha are not courtesans. We sell our skills, not our body" |
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terasinas Member
since 2006-03-24
Posts 91Michigan ... The Great Lakes |
Well done poem, good writing. Enjoyed the movie too .. still, I am disturbed. The disturbance goes back, a long, long way, so far back in time, I am not sure where it began. This expectation of us, this role woman has been forced to play ... to be the decorative peice of art, the entertainer, the slave for the whims of man. At one time, there may have been no choice, may have been womans best chance at survival to make ourselves the most appealing so to ensure our and our childrens safely and security by winning a strong and powerful mate. But now, time has passed .. baby steps have been made by us, still, so engrained in us, this expectation to be beautiful, to be the work of art, the pretty face, the sought after lover ... When will we wake up and realize we can change the tainted past? Not by continuing on with this charade, but by being someone we never knew was there, lol .. ourselves, our true nature. Many women never find that cause they are too busy playing the roles of wife and mother to find out what she is all about. Is changing slowly I suppose, more and more are finding this unexpressed part of themselves. Still, the expectation of being beautiful remains and that stifles who we really are, because then we get too caught up in playing the role ... when we are so much more. tera |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Bravissima! I applaud you on this masterful write! You captured the essence of a Geisha. I recently saw the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" and it has become one of my favourite movies of all time! I was so immersed in it and captivated by it, that I continually have flashbacks of memorable scenes.  This is definitely going into my trove of memorable treasures! Linda  |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland |
Tera - I understand where you are coming from and I am the first person to stand up for our rights as women and people. On the other hand a Geisha was respected by both men and women. They were not bought for their body or their beauty. They sold the skills and the art they learned over years and years. They entertained and partnered men but were never sold to them, and in fact generally held themselves in high regard. I believe that in this way, and in the time of their popularity, they were actually a symbol of femininity and strength. Linda - I loved the emoticon. Made me laugh. (laugh laugh) farewell the ash-tray girl [This message has been edited by playing.with.crayons (03-25-2006 03:58 AM).] |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I anticipated seeing the movie 'Geisha' when it comes out on DVD, reading this makes me want to see NOW! This is a lovely but poignant poem - excellent!  |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
what an excellent write! and this makes me want to see the movie also. by the way, I love your screen name |
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tracie66 Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713Australia |
this is exceptional, this captivated me and was so very visual, well done on this this incredibly beautiful & breathtaking write  thanks for sharing it with us.~hugs~  Tracie Love is the life of the soul... |
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starinthedark Junior Member
since 2006-02-13
Posts 32 |
Very beautiful writing. I enjoyed this very much. starinthedark |
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garysgirl 
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
This beautiful poem makes me want to see the movie even more. Thanks for sharing your poem with us. Hugs, Ethel |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland |
I have the goofiest grin on my face right now. passing shadows - thanks *grinning again* it was a the title of a lovely little childrens poem I used to adore. thanks guys. xx farewell the ash-tray girl |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland |
by the way the movie's excellent. Of course I still love the book more. true nerd at heart. farewell the ash-tray girl |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
An amazing and clever tribute to the geisha ~ Heartfelt and beautifully expressed. LOVE everything about this. I still haven't had the chance to see the movie, but your poem makes me want to rent the DVD even more now ~ I'll have to find the time. Melissa~ Intellectually I know that Canada is no better than any other country. Emotionally I KNOW that Canada is the best country in the world! |
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