Chapter Two: The Second Year:

The Child

Seven year old girl

One year’s time has passed

No changes yet

Sparrow

Little sparrow hop

Wings so tiny he has

More Freedom than her

You are Not a Maid

“Do not clean the floors.”

“You are not a maid here. So,

Please stop working.”

Haiku Writer

Seated at his desk,

He begins his daily work.

She watched vexed.

Teach Me

“Can you teach me how

To write a haiku?” asks

She. Her lessons begin.

Potential Butterfly

He sees treasure in

Her. She might make a fine

Lady in the future.

Courtyard

She spends her time in

His courtyard. The sky looks so

Distant from her hand.

Rich Man

So much money falls

Into his lap. He kindly

Showers her in wealth.

Rice

The rice slowly comes

It isn’t enough to pay

She must stay here still

Dango

She has never had such

A sweet sticky treat before

She eats and enjoys

Snowfall

The snow makes her sad

Her family still hasn’t come

She must stay with him

Kimono

Pink silk suits her well.

He bought her the kimono.

She is his princess.