Written for Tanka Tuesday: 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 37, 6/4/24,
Part I, The Time of Planting Grains (June 6 – 19)
Today, June 04th.
What a lovely picture, Colleen. I love the entire article.
Sijo?
A Korean verse form related to haiku and tanka and comprised of three
lines of 14-16 syllables each, for a total of 44-46 syllables.
Each line contains a pause near the middle, similar to a caesura,
though the break need not be metrical.
The first half of the line contains six to nine syllables;
the second half should contain no fewer than five.
Originally intended as songs, sijo can treat romantic, metaphysical,
or spiritual themes.
Whatever the subject, the first line introduces an idea or story,
the second supplies a “turn,” and the third provides closure.
Modern sijo are sometimes printed in six lines.
Featured Image by giselaatje from Pixabay
Photos below: Selma
my whiskers! (what have we here)--sprawled
under the tarp, a bear!
from afar I throw sand, warning fiend
I see him clear--he best gets
out of here--masked bandit in my yard,
poor thing: dead to begin with
© selma
Kigo: masked bandit,
I happened on a masked bandit this morning, but the poor thing was dead.
(It was steps away from the hydrangeas that are just now beginning to open).
I took a shot and asked Google to explain, and here’s what it told me:
Singapore Toddy Cat
Masked Palm Civet
Bearing the face of a raccoon, the ears of a cat, and the tail of a monkey, this species
is also called the toddy cat for its apparent fondness for fermented palm fruit, which
is used to make palm wine or toddy.
In the Malay language, it is known as ‘musang’ (meaning ‘weasel’) but it is neither
weasel nor cat. Like other members of the civet family, it has a pair of stink glands
near the base of its tail from which it secretes a foul-smelling liquid when threatened.
We called the city office, and an hour later, someone came to inspect the animal
and dispose of it properly. It had no wounds or bleeding and seemed advanced in
age. May it rest in peace.
And feet away from the green tarp, breaking news of today…
the yellows, too yellow;
reds, purples, whites, and orange--
blinding me in June
© selma
Kigo: June, blinding
Thanks so much for reading.
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Aww, poor guy.
Poor old guy. But seems he died of old age. Thanks for reading, Sadje. 🤗
Oh I see. Still an unpleasant shock to discover it’s corpse in your garden
Beautiful sijo. So beautiful yellow to yellow. …..
Yes. Beautiful colors. Xo thanks.
Poor guy.
Yes, indeed. Thanks for reading.
You’re most welcome.
Oh, my. What a find in your garden. Your flowers are so vibrant.
Surprised me I tell you.
Thanks for reading and commenting VJ.
The colors, Explosive! 👏🏽
You are welcome
Death, part of life. Poor guy!
Very true.
Poor little civet, I hope it was peaceful old age. Beautiful poems, Selma xo
I hope so too. I think it was, judging by the fact it had no cuts or such according to the inspector. At least in its last moments. Thanks for saying that. Xo be well, D.L.
Awww 😪
Yeah, it died. 😢
Beautiful poem, Selma, and quite a story. Poor critter – RIP.
Rest In Peace. 🪦 May she may lie
forever with unopened eye … thanks Anonymous. I just had to add that: from another prompt 🤭
That’s a new species for me Selma–thanks for the information.
And that purple is indeed blinding. (K)
Me too…
Im blind now XO
Awww, I am always sad when I see dead animals. It’s good he looked to be a good age, bless, and no signs of suffering….
💞Suzanne
True. True. Thanks for reading and commenting dear Suzanne. Blessing you.
What a find at the start of your day! I believe it found a peaceful final resting place in your garden, near your gentle spirit. Lovely poem and interesting information.
You say the sweetest things. I hope he found comfort in his final moment here. Thanks so much dear Michele Lee. Bless you
Thank you, Selma. 🙏🏻💕
Hopefully, it lived a long, enjoyable life before it passed away looking at your beautiful flowers. Great poems, Selma!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Yve. I hope so too. Thanks for reading and commenting. And again congratulations to your son AND YOU. XoXo
Awww poor little guy!!!
It was his time… yes, poor little guy.
Awwww
What a shocker! Hope the little animal passed away peacefully. Lovely poetry, Selma.
Thanks Balroop. Be well my friend.
old toddy cat crawls
to rest in fragrant shade
ninth life’s quiet end
What a sad encounter, but your poetry is beautiful, Selma
Poor little guys.
Thanks for reading Gwen.
Selma, I think your portrayal of the circle of life is beautiful. Death and flowers seem to represent rebirth. 🪻
Rebirth. Yes. Did that unconsciously but I see it now. Thanks for pointing it out, friend. Blessings on your week. 🤗
It’s interesting how we unconsciously add those elements in our poetry, isn’t it? 💜
I loved this, Selma. An entertaining Sijo, and sad about the cat-not-cat civet. A great haiku to ribbon off the whole piece.
The cat not cat 👏🏽 not weasel either 😂
Glad you enjoyed it. Ribboned 🎀 and all. Sweet of you, my friend. 🤗
My pleasure🌼💜