GWAPE+Poetry

I do not wish to sit with Van Ruijven He is not a honerable man I do not wish to sit with Van Ruijven He likes young women What would people think? Don't worry you have a champion to defend your honor Don't answer the rumors, don't say a word Van Ruijven is wealthy, van ruijven is powerful We need his money so don't say a word I felt I had to....
 * __Van Ruijven- ali olsen__**

__The Rumor__ Your Master is going to paint you. I stopped, Why, didn't you tell me?

Master has said nothing, Maria Thins, nothing I simply clean.

When there's talk at the market there's reason for it, usually.

What is it, girl? Trouble again? I have heard I am to be in a painting.

That is strange. I nodded. What would you think, of being in a painting?

Gossip, gossip, gossip The rumors are all false. I think of the maid in the red dress, Fearing Van Ruijven’s power.
 * __Rumors__**

“How do you think you’ll win that round of cards?” “You are but a maid.” My master will defend me My master will defend me

I said to myself. Reluctantly, I hesitated to Realize my helplessness.

What did I want? I could give in to Pieter and rule my own life. But my master’s eyes held me back.

Should I let my hair stray, Or smooth it back?

~Rachael Mintzlaff

__Tortoiseshell Combs__

She began it with a request.

Tortoiseshell Combs Missing And staring solemnly at me

The hallway, Cornelia trailed The stairs, Cornelia followed The studio, Cornelia lingered The jewelry box, Cornelia peeked

Tortoiseshell Combs Missing And staring solemnly at me

The attic I climbed Upstairs Unwrapped.

Tortoiseshell Combs The life I could never have as a maid And staring solemnly at me. -Sara Saltman

Understanding

Endless days. Tiles. You do not understand. This punishment shows my interest. The owner glazes the boy pulling tiles in and out of the kiln. It is exhausting and boring; You do not understand. You have no right to judge.

The piles of laundry, Scrubbed, Boiled, Ironed. I understand the anger. I //do// understand.

-Brock Yap

__Change__

The signs say she made, Not change; The spirit not tamed, Not change; But she avoided, A change; She excluded not, A change; And she accepted, A change; In battle she won, Much change; A maid made the change, So change; But not to parade, The change? Or perhaps her change, The maid.

-Spencer Luther

__Can You See__ Can you see that you have little power, That you will not win this round? Can you see that he is very powerful, That you are but a maid? Can you see that you are helpless, But that you wouldn't be with me? Hiding inside your eyes are things you never say. Can you see that theirs is not your world?

-Rachel Kaya

I hid. Can you tell? My broken tile, My best lace collar, My finest embroidered handkerchief, My secret from Tanneke. But, I hid what I wanted from you. Tell Catharina, tell her. Tell Catharina you support me, tell her. Tell Catharina I assist you, tell her. Tell Catharina, tell her. That is what I hid. (Traci)
 * I Hid**

__Properly Beating the help__ trouble hiding. she needs his help. she needs him. it's wrong; his gentle tone. and she is more powerful than anything. the sneered and sober laugh of her enemies, the cat punished poultry: say little. and? the muttered cry revealed no amends. but combs hidden concern against the willing, painting hands. (Bailey)

You understand what it’s like; Endless tiles, Like laundry piles.
 * Frans’ Punishment**

//You// have no right to judge, With your butcher that you’ll marry and Have a fine life with.

Why //shouldn’t// I admire a pretty face when I see one? It was she who started it. She showed her interest, you see.

We’re not so different, With the attentions we’ve had from Those above us.

--Shouldn’t you be at Paptists’ Corner? (Kim Roy)


 * The Comb**

It is missing Furious stares, mischievous looks Frightening quiet tone “//Bring the box to me//” She will not find it I know where it is Open my chest Unwrap its handkerchief Longer, more curved, serrated marks I found it

No reason to admire It is not //my// life I am a maid

(Tia)

The maid's, Confusion unlocks boxed feelings for the son Attract tears disrespecting the blocked madam Showing eyes fill with wants of handsome, kindness The butcher's, Delighted lights wink heartily Jesting of someday Ever changing eyes now laugh Maertge's Sudden realization that always may not be surprised eyes reveal the shocked miss Catharina's , Dirty pearls of distrust Watching from far, never daring Eyes stew with dislike Cornelia's Jewels of distrust stir once more the pot of condemnation. -Pua
 * The Eyes Said

Object of Possession** Van Ruijven stops and smiles; My master halts, jerks his head, struggles to stand calm. I shiver with the attention.

But he is painting me. I sit, the light touching my face. His eyes lock with mine. I know now. No words, but tears fill my eyes. Like a puppet, I sit. (Kelly Ho)

by Nestor Agbayani
 * Feigned Indifference**

behind feigned indifference coldness stares into oblivion concealing such thoughts with blaming expressions

behind the glass of wine no audience dares to mumble no gesture, no trouble but searching for an answer

ah, how a simple maid could cause so much trouble with the eyes of van Ruijven serving nothing but discussion __**I Lost**__ I lost to hauling water, scrubbing floors, emptying chamberpots, To stories of stealing, tempting, master pursuing. I would escape but I discovered him, a jewelry box, A box of beauty, color, light; another life. But she wants him back. I have no reason to remain, Noticing the unlocking of this box. But I have grown, changed. I lost my heart to that jewelry box. -Brianna Lum

__**How could a maid?**__

How could a maid? Cause so much trouble, My feigned indifference, My master’s irritation, Van Ruijven’s grin, How could a maid? Escape the ghost of him, Escape Van Ruijven’s lingering hand, Escape my master’s gaze, Through the kitchen, Through the painting, No blame in his expression, No answer, I escaped. -Jared Hara

//By Tawni//
 * __HIDDEN SECRETS__**

It was searched for and never found.

One: hidden in a shell-- found... then tossed to me

Another secret revealed again; He didn't say, but she was told; and was more afraid of his anger

The last secret was revealed of the "enemy"-- that she is carrying child

So much trouble, Even a few Enemies.

  **Master** 

**I promise master like a puppet out on errands my head bowed I pass attention on

Struggling, foolish, puzzled swallowed by cold fear what do you want sir my jaw tightens and eyes widen

his look of nothing his eyes like an oyster shell my eyes filled with tears he was going to paint me

~Preston Ho**


 * __Why me?__**

Griet, Griet, Griet Why has no one told you this? There’s talk about a painting With you and Van Ruijven

Your mother heard the gossip But did not dare speak of it Pieter the son did not wait long He sulked to the Beast Market

You waited for a few days To speak to Maria Thins And all she did was chuckle And ask what do you think of it?


 * ~Corey**

__Captured__ Pieter the son kind, handsome my escape to another world save me but meat, dirt, blood attracts flies

confused

my master different, locked attracts my eye They will condemn me

Do I dare? my reminder, I am their maid that is what I am

-Lori Yamashita

__**Victory**__ I had won respect It feels like a precious pipe under my breath The key perhaps unlocked my secure heart An excluded maid I was A favored maid I am

Fear the maid, Catharina Keep out of my way Respect me Tanneke Loyalty and experience carries little Maria Thins, don’t ignore me I am not a creature Cornelia…I will paint her face red She will change

The battle is won This is my parade

-Logan Chun

"Run like rabbits before dogs. Just don't let him see you, Please do these Errands."
 * Errands**

"Go to the apothecary-- for elder flowers and hyssop" Errands for //me//. "To Old Mary's the spinner-- for wool" Errands for //me//. "To Jan Mayer's house-- for brother excpected in Delf" Errands for //me.// "To your home-- to visit your parents" Errands for //me//.

--Ali Goo

Two chairs, A harpsichord, A violin, A painting.
 * A Change Unknown **

But she sent me elsewhere, To amuse myself. More errands, In the cold.

Something was to change soon. I just did not know how.

Angry. Weary.

I could not go to my parents again. I could go to Frans’ factory.

High whistles erupted. Sweat. Muscles. He was becoming a man. -Daiva Yee


 * My Master** by Mackenzie Sato

A surprise to all, my master reaching out Supervising, curious of me A curious thought gathered: Is he fond of me? Catharina and Tanneke hiss and complain The studio lifts me in a struggle, steep stairs I am so interested to see the master paint Looking closely… I set a change And luckily, he noticed the change and it remained


 * Fading**

He looked up at me- his face tired and red. His bright eyes weary; he was not himself.

There the studio lay in the shadows- it's very arrangement a clue. Two chairs, a violin, a flute, and the table; a chorus for all eyes to gaze.

A few days pass and all are amused by this very muse, but me; who instead idles in the cold streets.

With each graceful stroke of painting, I am disappearing. -Kelli Kaneta, 8

Jewels Catharina could not get her jewels She suspected me of stealing it. Catharina could not consult her husband She worried I tempted the master.

The master must choose Between me and the jewelry box. He would not remove the box He would remove me.

I was ruined. I had suddenly grown older. And I was not yet eighteen. -Karla Chikamoto, 8