Sijo

Carpe Diem Universal Jane #13 Sijo the Korean poem

fragrant blossom quivers; awaiting night pollinator
moonlight illuminating the milky white beauty
alone in the garden, unfulfilled we wait.

The Sijo. like the haiku it is to ancient Chinese patterns, but it is older than the haiku.The  Korean Sijo is traditionally composed in three lines of 14-16 syllables each, totaling between 44-46 syllables.   A pause breaks each line approximately in the middle; it resembles a caesura but is not based on metrics.   The sijo may be narrative or thematic, introducing a situation or problem in line 1, development or “turn” in line 2, and resolution in line 3. The first half of the final line employs a “twist”: a surprise of meaning, sound, tone or other device. The sijo is often more lyrical, subjective and personal than haiku, and the final line can take a profound, witty, humorous or proverbial turn. Like haiku, sijo has a strong basis in nature, but, unlike that genre, it frequently employs metaphors, symbols, puns, allusions and similar word play.

True Silence

Carpe Diem Namasté The Spiritual Way #5 self consciousness

devoid of silence
life careens out of control
– a noisy gong

Psalm 7:11–13

Psalm 7:11–13

God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day. If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.

under God’s rule
we will feel his flaming arrow
or bend our will

The Fountain

Carpe Diem #1170 fountain

poignantly
he leaves the fountain
where his youth was spent
in search of a deeper well
seeking new adventures

 

 

Nightflower

Carpe Diem #1166 Nightflower

across the night fields
fragrant scent of  moonflowers
lure the sphinx moth

 

a moonlight stroll
in the vespertine garden
bathed in perfume

 

 

Roses

Carpe Diem #1165 roses

storm ravaged petals
float in  basin of tears
scent of love fades