Poetry
Empress Dowager Cixi

The Empress Dowager Cixi-to-be

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harem whore. Worthy Lady. Concubine.

Then Consort. Then the Noble Consort Yi.

In here a girl advances or she dies.

The Empress only more advanced than me.

Yet I provided offspring. Birthed a son.

Became the one he trusts. I read his laws.

Memorials to govern. I’ve become

The voice through which the Emperor appears.

I learn that power comes through influence

With safety never guaranteed until

The great await in fearful impotence.

Who rules behind the curtains of the court

Will last. And I will last this whole world out.

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