August 31, 2015

Cio Cio San

Peonies. William Merrit Chase. 1897
Forget Dumas’ Dame Aux Camelias.
I am Puccini’s geisha condemned to the chrysanthemum and the sword.

The first tragedy of Nagasaki, waiting for a tiny thread of smoke to appear
Yet the horizon reveals nothing but a butterfly-blue sky.

No little maid from school am I.
I am old, yet a child.
Godspeed Pinkerton, your memory fades


written for Magpie Tales 283
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4 comments:

  1. Gemma WisemanAugust 31, 2015 at 4:05 PM

    "I am Puccini’s geisha condemned to the chrysanthemum and the sword..." What an engaging persona. A voice with inner strength.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rosey PinkertonAugust 31, 2015 at 7:17 PM

    With references to my favourite opera Madama Butterfly in the first verse and me in the last, I found this piece absolutely fascinating!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DeepaSeptember 1, 2015 at 2:53 AM

    so powerful & beautiful. Loved it

    ReplyDelete
  4. SandraSeptember 1, 2015 at 11:54 AM

    lovely!

    ReplyDelete

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