Chapter Three: The Third Year:

Koi Pond

The fish look so calm

Staring at them keeps her sane

Like her, they are stuck

Waiting

She sits by the door

He went into town today

Tonight, he’s not home

Kind Man

He is a good man

She doesn’t understand why

He might want something.

Garden

Her favorite place is

His garden. She can just sleep

Away her problems.

Sweets

She loves the treats he

Brings her. She had never had

Such rich treats before.

Questions

“When will they come back?”

“When they pay off all their debts.”

“How long will that be?”

Talking

The servants all talk.

He does not enjoy their chatter.

Even so, they still talk.

Trees

She wants to be a

Tree. They look so strong and they

Keep her spirits in line.

Lonely

There aren’t any kids around

She spends her time alone in her

Room writing haiku.

New Friend

He decides to get her

A new toy. So he goes out

And buys her a doll.

New Name

“Please tell me your name.”

“I can’t remember anymore.”

“You are Chigusa.”

A Wish

Chigusa wants to

Go home to her family.

Every night, she prays.