Yoshiwara girls in their brothel; photo Wikipedia
Yoshiwara red-light districtJapan’s floating world
once known as Yoshiwara
city of desires
created and ruled by men
where girls were procured
tutored and groomed for service
of high-ranking courtesans
and one day replace
educated in the arts
writing of haiku
performing in kabuki
coached in seduction
of coy looks and expressions
and language of love
to gain favoritism
hair, makeup, clothing
a countenance of façade
to lure, please, flatter
this world depicted in art
romantically
glossed over illness and pain
many died young through
disease and botched abortions
life spent indentured
existing in the sex trade
captive behind bars
for gratification’s sake
and to stave off loneliness
Join me at dVerse Poets for Meeting the Bar as I introduce the Choka. We would love to have you join us! The bar opens Thursday at 3PM EST.
Bodhirose's Blog 
ladynyo
/ January 5, 2017Historically correct and poetically poignant! I love choka but haven’t written in this form in years! Good to see you reviving it, Gayle!
Jane
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Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2017Hi Jane, I’m glad you liked my choka. I discovered it years ago and wrote one and decided to see how it would be received for MTB today. Happy New Year!
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ladynyo
/ January 5, 2017And Happy New Year Back, Sweetie!
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Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2017Many thanks! xo
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Grace
/ January 5, 2017I read a documentary or movie about this. Yes, it’s part of their culture but I feel sad for those men and women enslaved and caught in this web, to please men of power. (Note-I think the ending lines should be revised though?)
A nice form to try Gayle ~ Thanks for hosting this wonderful challenge ~
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Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2017Yikes, Grace, I goofed up! Thanks for catching that. I think it’s correct now. I’m glad you like the form. I had written one long ago and thought it may be a fun one to try for everyone. You’re welcome, and Happy New Year to you! xo
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kim881
/ January 5, 2017I’ve only ever tried this form once before, Gayle, back in the summer, so your prompt was a great opportunity to have another go. Your Choka is so interesting and so sad.
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Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2017I’m glad the prompt gave you another try at the choka, Kim. I like the idea that it’s longer and tells a story. As I was researching the form an article showed up about Yoshiwara. It was in use for over 300 years and was finally outlawed in the 50s.
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kim881
/ January 5, 2017Why was it outlawed? Especially after 309 years!
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017The government outlawed prostitution. But the article also said that there is still some of the sex trade activities going on there still today in spite of the law change. It’s now known as Tokyo.
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kim881
/ January 7, 2017I think I misunderstood – I thought you meant the Choka was outlawed. I had to go back and read the comments again. 😞
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Bodhirose
/ January 7, 2017Oh, gosh…sorry about your misunderstanding, Kim. Maybe I could have been more clear.
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kim881
/ January 8, 2017It’s probably me, Gayle. My brain’s a bit fuzzy with worrying about my mum. I’m visiting her today – a 7 hour round trip with only an hour and a half to visit, if she’s up to it. It could be the last time I see her.
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Bodhirose
/ January 8, 2017Kim, I’m so sorry to hear this. My support is with you today during this emotional time…I wish you well. I hope it won’t be the last time you see each other. Hugs. xo
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kim881
/ January 9, 2017Thank you, Gayle. We got back early yesterday evening and I couldn’t go on-line. What we saw was just so devastating – there’s nothing left of her. Her breathing is birdlike, she’s skeletal and can’t move. But I think she recognised my voice as there was the ghost of a smile and her eyes moved as if she was trying to see me. Thank you for the hugs, they are much appreciated.
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Bodhirose
/ January 9, 2017Dearest Kim, today I’ve received your email telling us that your mother passed away late this morning. My heart and thoughts are with you as you process your emotions during this difficult time. Blessings for you and all of your loved ones…hugs. xo
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kim881
/ January 13, 2017Thank you so much, Gayle. As you can imagine, I’ve been hiding a way for a while and will be back at the Poets Pub on Monday. We don’t know when the funeral will take place yet as undertakers are very busy this time of the year – it could be at the end of February. So I am taking deep breaths and trying to carry on. At least I got to see her on Sunday.
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Bodhirose
/ January 13, 2017Bless you, Kim. Yes, deep breaths are good and I’m so glad you got to see her one last time. xo
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ January 5, 2017This made me shiver, and also being ashamed of sometimes being duped by the glossy sheen of beauty that always covered the dirty part with its thin veneer…
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Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2017I was duped too, Bjorn. I just have seen the romanticized and glorified side of this life and not the truth. Now we know.
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Bryan Ens
/ January 5, 2017sex slavery – even at it’s most “glamorous” was still slavery. You have written this tale powerfully.
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Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2017You’re right, Bryan. The glamour was a façade…and thank you!
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Glenn Buttkus
/ January 5, 2017The tale and word smithing catapulted me along, hardly noticing the form. Choka is certainly new to me–the examples seem to show the 7 syllable line at the end of every 5-7-5 or 5-7-7 internal stanza & that the poem is not broken up into individual stanzas. Oh well, it was fun to try something new.
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Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2017Thank you, Glenn. You know I almost didn’t separate the stanzas and then I did…oh well, I’m learning as I go along just like the rest of us. I actually would like it better as all one poem, not broken up. Next time!
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Bodhirose
/ January 5, 2017I changed it…it was bugging me!
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Misky
/ January 6, 2017Oh my, you really went to town on this form! Mine is meagre by comparison. I love your retelling of this. Quite riveting.
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017I did go to town with it! An article showed up about this place so I decided to write about it. Thanks, Misky!
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Kathy Reed
/ January 6, 2017I am amazed how many actions are considered an art when it really is an unconscionable behavior, legitimized by the fact it is considered an art to do…I love haiku, so l nice to do a lot of the..kinda 😉
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017Yes, the powers that be back in the day, made sure that only the glamour of the “art” was presented. I guess few knew the truth about the sad state of affairs for those poor girls…indentured slaves.
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petrujviljoen
/ January 6, 2017Loved your poem. Think I’ll shelf my effort until OLN. It needs some serious work and will do it during the weekend.
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017Thanks, Petru. I understand…I look forward to reading it during OLN.
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whippetwisdom
/ January 6, 2017Your Choka tells this very sad tale in a very poignant way and the form suits the subject very well. Thank you so much for introducing me to this form and a very happy new year to you xxx
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017Thank you, Xenia, yes, a quite sad tale of a life that was so glamourized. I’m glad you enjoyed the form…I do too! And Happy New Year to you! xo
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whippetwisdom
/ January 8, 2017Thank you Gayle xxx
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lynn__
/ January 6, 2017Things are not as they seem on the surface…thanks for revealing truth.
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lynn__
/ January 6, 2017…wish I had time to work on a choka, maybe later 🙂
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017No, they sure aren’t. I had no idea myself until I read an article telling about this place…now known as Tokyo. Yes, maybe you can get to it another time. I find it a fun form. Thanks for coming by, Lynn!
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Raivenne
/ January 6, 2017The beautiful curtain hiding the ugly truth.Historically, and most unfortunately, currently accurate in the form of sex trafficking. Heartrendingly told.
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017Good way of putting it Raivenne…a beautiful curtain, and there’s really no other way to tell the story is there…it was tragic and ugly. Thanks for adding your choka to the prompt.
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Laura Bloomsbury
/ January 7, 2017you socked it to us with this poem Gayle – with every line the romance fades into stark naked truth.
p.s. thank you for the introduction to the choka form – enjoyed trying it out
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017Well, I had never heard of this entire district where the sex trade was such a part of society for over 300 years. It was totally glamourized and people didn’t know the truth of the suffering that went on behind the scenes. I’m so glad you enjoyed the form…thanks for adding your choka to the prompt, Laura.
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paulscribbles
/ January 7, 2017Great prompt and a fabulous example here. Thanks for this.
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017I’m very pleased that you enjoyed the prompt, Paul. And thank you for your compliment and adding a great choka to our prompt.
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paulscribbles
/ January 8, 2017You are very welcome Gayle. Very inspiring prompt for me.
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Imelda
/ January 7, 2017Your piece reminds me of Memoirs of a Geisha. Beneath the glamour is darkness and pain.
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Gayle Walters Rose
/ January 7, 2017You’re right, Imelda. That book did uncover some of the pain and suffering that went on during that era. So glad you joined in.
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Miss Stacy
/ January 8, 2017A grim version of reality for so many young women.
I feel a strong sense of desolation and hopelessness.
Awesome write for this prompt.
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Bodhirose
/ January 8, 2017Yes, that’s a good description, grim. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me Stacy and I appreciate your compliment.
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lillian
/ January 9, 2017Romanticism can sometimes hide real pain and words like “demure” can really mean an entire gender stifled.
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Bodhirose
/ January 9, 2017How right you are, Lillian.
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Lorna's Voice
/ January 10, 2017Whenever I am a bit dissatisfied with my life, all I have to do is remember this (or situations like this) to feel truly blessed that I escaped living that kind of life. Thank you for putting my petty complaints into perspective.
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Bodhirose
/ January 11, 2017That’s right. There are so many who are suffering greatly all over the world…too many whose lives are horribly dismal. It does make us stop and count our blessings doesn’t it. I hope you are well, Lorna.
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Renee Espriu
/ January 11, 2017I have read in the past many different books by Asian authors that are based on historical fact but fiction and am amazed by how things were done in their past. I often find the history of other countries more interesting than our own as the US is quite a new nation in the scheme of things. I like your write and how you have tied it all together. 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2017I’m amazed at those “older” cultures too, Renee, and the rich depth of history that they have. Yes, the United States is quite new compared to other countries. Thank you for coming by. 🙂
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