Van Ruijven- ali olsen
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....
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?
Rumors
Gossip, gossip, gossip
The rumors are all false.
I think of the maid in the red dress,
Fearing Van Ruijven’s power.
“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
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)
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)
Frans’ Punishment
You understand what it’s like;
Endless tiles,
Like laundry piles.
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 Eyes Said 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
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)
Feigned Indifference by Nestor Agbayani
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
HIDDEN SECRETS By Tawni
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
Errands
"Run like rabbits before dogs.
Just don't let him see you,
Please do these 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
A Change Unknown
Two chairs,
A harpsichord,
A violin,
A painting.
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
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....
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?
Rumors
Gossip, gossip, gossip
The rumors are all false.
I think of the maid in the red dress,
Fearing Van Ruijven’s power.
“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
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)
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)
Frans’ Punishment
You understand what it’s like;
Endless tiles,
Like laundry piles.
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 Eyes Said
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
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)
Feigned Indifference
by Nestor Agbayani
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
HIDDEN SECRETS
By Tawni
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
Errands
"Run like rabbits before dogs.
Just don't let him see you,
Please do these 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
A Change Unknown
Two chairs,
A harpsichord,
A violin,
A painting.
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