Shh—
Please, go on talking
I only came to clear the teacups
(clink)
I didn't hear a thing
Set the table, fetch water, close the door
They call for me all day and never know my name
A servant girl with her head bowed, they think she has no ears
The things they'd never say aloud, they say so freely in front of me
How many fields of rice to buy one government post
They talk and never notice the tea going cold
Money that's in no ledger passes under the table
I wipe up the spilled wine and step out
Rolling up a silk sleeve, he speaks of integrity
The smell of money just taken still clings to that sleeve
The floor can be wiped, a stain can be scrubbed
But a word once heard — how do you wash that away
Eyes low
Ears sharp
Mouth heavy
Price high
(shh—)
Even the walls have ears — (who's listening?)
There's night in the crack of the door — (who's hiding?)
Teacups on the table, money underneath
It all passes right in front of my bowed head
One word, one sack of rice
The price of my silence I collect separately
Shh— lower your voice
Do you think mine is the only ear listening
Beating laundry on the stones by the stream
I mix last night's name into the sound of water
The maid from across the way quietly stops her hands
I fold my wet sleeve over one more time
"Don't go telling that anywhere"
Add that line and it travels farther
Three days later a sack of rice arrives in the back yard
Ask who sent it and they just smile and go
At first, my mother's medicine was enough
Then a padded quilt for her to get through winter
Too late now to go back and pretend I know nothing
When I go quiet, the other side gets anxious
Even the walls have ears — (who's listening?)
There's night in the crack of the door — (who's hiding?)
Teacups on the table, money underneath
It all passes right in front of my bowed head
One word, one sack of rice
The price of my silence I collect separately
Shh— lower your voice
Do you think mine is the only ear listening
Today the master calls me in alone
Tells me to close the door, even offers me a seat
Sitting for the first time in the room where I've always stood
People look quite different from this height
"Who is selling this house's secrets?
You go into every corner, surely you know"
I gather the hem of my skirt and lower my eyes
Swallow the laugh first, then answer slowly
"Of course we must find them, the household is at stake
But ask with empty hands and everyone's mouth shuts"
The master's hand goes busily into his robe
A heavy purse slides across to me
The money meant to catch me will see me through winter
One bow of the head and I'm the one he trusts
"You're the quietest one in this house"
Yes, master, that's why you never knew
I open the door to leave and he calls me back once more
"What we spoke of today stays with you alone"
I tie the purse shut and nod
There's a reason my mouth is so heavy
Even the walls have ears — (who's listening?)
There's night in the crack of the door — (who's hiding?)
Teacups on the table, money underneath
It all passes right in front of my bowed head
The price of finding her, I take up front
The price of my silence I collect separately
Shh— lower your voice
Do you think mine is the only ear listening
Yes, master
I haven't told anyone
(clink)
Not yet