The new haiku?

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Sijo (Korean Poetry)

"It seems to be the nature of mankind continually to try something new. That is
just as true in poetry as it is in other areas. During the past forty years
or so we have shown increasing interest in Asian verse patterns. The Middle
Eastern ghazal has its devoted followers in the West, and Japanese forms like
haiku, tanka, renga and haibun are now commonly found in small press and
commercial poetry periodicals. Journey through the Internet and you will see
these forms blossoming everywhere. We Westerners have fallen in love with
Asian patterns, patterns that connect us tenuously with ancient cultures so
different from our own.

So it is with the sijo (see-szo or she-szo, with the J pronounced as the
French pronounce Jacques). The roots of this lyrical Korean cousin of haiku
and tanka stretch back well over 1000 years. It has been the most popular
form of lyric verse in Korea for over 500 years, sung equally by Confucian
scholars, members of the royal court and common folk . . .

~ Larry Gross, copy from his article on Sijo Primer #1

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- Yi Saek (1328–1395), on the decline of Goryeo Kingdom.

- U Tak (1262–1342)

- Hwang Jin-i (1522–1565) A famous female Korean sijo poet who was also a kisaeng, a professional entertainer.

Sijo written in English

LARRY GROSS:
 

I’ll admit it isn’t your fault,
        I made you up from mind mist;
Before you could be you
        I made you what I thought I wanted.
That wasn’t it – who could have known?
        Wait – Maybe you could try this …
 
 

Bark on the oak in the backyard
             has scars over my scars;
ladder steps lead nowhere now,
            swing rope has furrowed the old branch
How strong it makes us for a while –
            the world we make – before it goes.
 
 

I bring him water in the field,
            stand to watch him plant the corn,
remembering all he learned from me,
            how to till, when to harvest;
Beyond that, to treasure land and God,
            knowing all things die.
 
 

ELIZABETH ST JACQUES:
 

slow piano piece drifting soft on humid summer air
high above a smooth ballet unfolds between white fluffy clouds
restless now I will myself to soar with notes and gulls
 
 

late summer days are soft with light and rich with floral scent
gentle breezes lift birdsong that serenade warm moments green
be still oh northern spirit – long frosty veils fall soon enough
 
 

Oh to know the languages
  of all the peoples of the world
Harmonies await the ear
  to solve all mysteries of tongues
Yet warm eyes open each closed door
  smiles unfold blithe messages

 

DAVID McCANN

All through lunch, from my table, I keep an eye on your disputes,
Green lobsters in the bubbling tank by the restaurant door.
Slights, fights, bites—whatever the cause, make peace and flee, escape with me!

 

more sijo

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