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Vineyard agriculture Image by Ida from Pixabay

A Hospitality Sijo: Moonwashed Weekly

Happy full moon everyone.

I owe the need to pen this one down *for you* to David of The Skeptic’s Kaddish
website, who does not need another feather in his cap from me. Without
even trying too hard he’s become a beacon of excellence in my eyes and I’ve
secretly decided to shadow him–I’ll start by going a little deeper in writing Sijo
(a form I feel he has taken to a new level).

In a recent interaction with two of David’s posts, I was pleasantly impressed:
he wrote about the family-sized hole a Mother would leave
and another about how he indirectly straightened out some people
Both posts employ the SiJo format. So I want to give it my attention.
(the first post mentioned inspired this post).

I’m posting my first contribution to Mr. Linky at Moonwashed Weekly
for the theme of Hospitality
. Thank you for having me.

Mine is the traditional three-lined sijo.

Sijo

meet in hospitality—Play musical chairs: feign Mom’s there too
we soon unearth pretending is in vain. Everyone disperses
newly awakened that Mom took the music when she left

© selma
(16-15-14 = 45 syllables)

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.

Photo of vineyard: Image by Ida from Pixabay Thank you.
Thanks, David; thanks Eugi.
And thanks so much for reading dear friends.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 40 Comments

  1. Eugi

    Selma, thank you so much for joining in. Your sijo is lovely and makes me think of my mom. When she left this world, I felt her song was still unsung. 💟

    David is the master of sijo, and I love this poetry, as well.

    PS I changed my domain which temporarily takes my blog out of the Reader’s mainstream. Hopefully, it will reappear soon.

    1. Selma Martin

      Hey Eugi. Thanks for having me. Did I perhaps not add the domain or url to your website correctly? I just copied from the post title itself.

      David is amazing and I see him sijo-ing a lot lately. He makes it look easy. Wish I could do the same. I’ll do what I can.

      Her song unsung? Sad if it’s so but perhaps she did more that you think. Our mothers were amazing. Thanks for reading and for the lovely prompt. I’ll return. 🙇🏽‍♀️

      1. Eugi

        You did everything right, Selma, and I appreciate you joining in. Yes, our mothers were amazing and I lost mine too soon, though I feel she is always with me. 💫

  2. rajkkhoja

    Very nice .
    Beautiful capture pic.

      1. rajkkhoja

        Most welcome my dearest Friend Selma ❤️!

  3. ben Alexander

    Selma,

    I really like how you capture the essence of loss and the discovery of absence. Your sijo is perfectly woven within the dynamics of a seemingly ordinary gathering… Just lovely! <3

    ~David

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for saying, David dear. I’m thrilled you liked it. Xoxo happy weekend.

  4. Cindy Georgakas

    This is so beautifully touching Selma! I agree with you on David being an incredible one to shadow.❣️

    1. Selma Martin

      Right?! Perhaps something like genius will rub off on me. Maybe. 🤔 blessings on your Sunday Cindy.

      1. Cindy Georgakas

        Haha you already are but yeah I’ll take some of his too!! Happy Sunday to you as well, Selma! ❤️

  5. Miriam Hurdle

    I like your Sijo, Selma. I haven’t written a Sijo yet. It seems to be a nice form.

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for reading and commenting, Miriam. I’m sure you’ll be amazing with the Sijo form and any other. Blessings on your weekend. Xoxo

      1. Miriam Hurdle

        I try to learn different forms, Selma. I may learn to do Sijo. Have a wonderful weekend.

    1. Selma Martin

      David is tops.
      Thanks for liking my Sijo. Just thank you dear friend.

  6. Sonia Dogra

    Thanks for this lovely treat, Selma!
    “we soon unearth pretending is in vain.”
    Can’t get over David’s “family-sized hole”.

    1. Selma Martin

      Im so happy you checked out David’s post. Wow, right?!

      Thanks for the visit, Sonia. Jump in with any of the prompts dear friend. The community is friendly. Hope to see you inside.
      Happy weekend. 🤗

      1. Sonia Dogra

        Thank you, Selma. Yes, I enjoyed David’s post very much.
        Also appreciate your invitation. I find it a little difficult to navigate different poetic forms. But I will try.

  7. Indira

    Lovely Sijo, Selma. Is Selma and Salma differ in meaning? Just curious.

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for liking the Sijo, Indira.
      As for the names: in spelling they differ; in meaning maybe the same. I figure it’d be something like Indira & Nadira. ¿No? Splendid and unique…

      Happy weekend.

      1. Indira

        haha. Indira & Nadira, they are different in meaning. Happy Monday.

  8. Anonymous

    Lovely, evocative poem, Selma, and another new form to me. ❤️

    1. Selma Martin

      Hi Lauren dear. Thanks for clarifying that. I get a few of those lately… anonymous!
      The Sijo is an easy form to try. Hope you do. And I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
      Be well, friend. Blessings.

    1. Selma Martin

      Hey, Robbie. Thanks for checking it out. Blessings.

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