Geisha

• Nonny Bulle, Grade 11
• Poetry
• 2008

Only a dream
But she wakes up in sweat
Monsters left behind
Constantly haunt her
All she wants to is to be free
But freedom was always a luxury

A hazy scene
A grandiose teahouse
A cultured place, traditional
Kimono’s of pure silk and grand designs
Bamboo mats, golden lanterns
Pots of hot tea, and saki upon low tables

Only a dream
But she wakes up in sweat
Beauty, voices, mirth
Smiles, red hot and fake
Hiding behind pale, pastel faces
It’s only a dream; they could never find her here
Dawn comes; she opens the door, and starts walking

Standing on a bridge, over a scanty stream
In a deserted park, there she muses
No cherry blossoms here
New jumper, some new jeans
And the red wasagi umbrella she’s had
Since she was twelve