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| Can be found here |
At this point in the story, Ky Tam has decided that he
will rescue Kieu from her oppressive imprisonment. They try to sneak off but Tu
Ba is smart and easily gets wind of what he’s doing. She petitions the local
authorities who recognize Kieu as merely a slave of Tu Ba, a prostitute. Ky Tam
must “buy” her from Tu Ba which he gladly does. They then enjoy their time
together and their love grows.
This is a high point in the story for Kieu. Finally, she
has escaped her life as a prostitute and Ky Tam seems like a respectable man; a
man that will take care of her. As I’ve mentioned several times before in this
blog, this is not a happy tale and this is only about halfway through the
story. Kieu’s luck will run out, quickly and drastically.
Late in the chilled evening,
They left her small bamboo abode,
For some fresh air, they told.
Hastily she was concealed,
Yet, those dark ones who dealed
With Tu Ba, hid among the trees.
They collected their fees
From her for this valuable news.
From’er mouth a torrent spews,
She wants gold! She needs compensation!
No equivocation,
Kieu was and is her property.
Anything less was robbery,
The ownership of Kieu’s body, soul,
Must be brought to tribunal.
Matters both public and private,
Both brought up for debate.
Before she knew it, she was stripped,
Her dignity torn and ripped.
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| Can be found here |
-Finally, a place of their own
They laid and their love shown,
Their love...deep like the calm sea
Long as a river, free,
Imbibed with the sweet perfume,
Warm as a fire’s plume,
Lively like gems and jade,
Hearts with the lotus shade.
