Day 28: NaPoWriMo 2024–A Sijo

Day Twenty-Eight on APRIL 28, 2024

We’re in the home stretch now, with just three days left to go in this year’s Na/GloPoWriMo!

Today’s featured participant is MellowYellow, which brings us a driving, musical poem in response
to Day 27’s American sonnet prompt.

Our featured resource for the day is Harriet Books, the Poetry Foundation’s online website devoted
to poetry book reviews, poetry news, and poetry-themed blog poets.

Finally, our optional prompt for the day asks you to try your hand at writing a sijo. This is a traditional
Korean verse form. A sijo has three lines of 14-16 syllables. The first line introduces the poem’s theme,
the second discusses it, and the third line, which is divided into two sentences or clauses, ends the
poem – usually with some kind of twist or surprise.

You could also write a sijo in six lines – at least when it comes to translating classical sijo into English,
translators seem to have developed this habit, as you can see from these translations of poems
by Jong Mong-Ju and U Tak.

Happy writing!

SIJO SIJO SIJO

Pissed that we were out of money
      and Christmas two days away,
I take stock of the pantry shelves
      to dissipate my hot steam.
I bake a poor man's cake that
 smells like the hillside of México. 
                  ©️ Selma

© selma

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for being here as I worked on these first drafts.
It wouldn’t have been the same without you.
THANKS AGAIN, MAUREEN–YOU ROCK!
God willing, I’ll see you all here again next year.

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Selma Martin

I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.

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This Post Has 14 Comments

Sadje April 28, 2024 Reply

So nicely done Selma
1. Selma Martin April 28, 2024 Reply
  
  Thank you, Sadje.
  1. Sadje April 28, 2024 Reply
    
    You’re always welcome 🤗
writerravenclaw April 28, 2024 Reply

Christmas or any holiday can be the opposite 😢
1. Selma Martin April 30, 2024 Reply
  
  Grateful for the comment, dear Diana. Blessings on your week. xo
  1. writerravenclaw May 1, 2024 Reply
    
    🥰
rajkkhoja April 28, 2024 Reply

Beautiful & nice sijo.
Nice ❤️ lines written you.
1. Selma Martin April 30, 2024 Reply
  
  Most grateful for your comment, dear Raj. xoxo
  1. rajkkhoja May 1, 2024 Reply
    
    Most welcome my dear Selma 🙏
Jane Dougherty April 28, 2024 Reply

The tyranny of festive seasons!
1. Selma Martin April 30, 2024 Reply
  
  thanks for reading and commenting, dear Jane. And thanks for being here with me at NaPo this month. Stay blessed. Good night. xo
nonsmokingladybug April 28, 2024 Reply

Nicely done.
1. Selma Martin April 30, 2024 Reply
  
  Thanks so much. I really appreciate you saying. Happy last day of April. Sending hugs.
Belladonna May 3, 2024 Reply

What does the hillside of Mexico smell like? LOL
Great and fun poem