GEISHA

Shamisen - musical instrument
Kyaku-san - honorable customer\client
O,Cha - tea
Maiko - apprentice Geisha
Mizuage (Mizu-age) - traditionlly when a young Geisha comes of age her virginity is sold to the highest bidder

GEISHA

Converse with her,
her words are pearls,
treasures of the art
every word articulate
cultered, polished, lustre shelled.

Question her,
she will hide
painted face behind a fan,
she plays shamisen and dances
to please Kyaku-san.

Challenge her,
behind her mask
Geisha she will stay,
butterflies and paper fans
will draw your thoughts away.

Contemplate her,
make O,Cha
tradition mastered gracefully,
young Maiko, Mizuage
bid high for her virginity.

Purchase her,
she's yours alone,
Kimono, Blossom, Smile
the heart of her you cannot buy
only it is hers
to own.