Twelve Korean Sijo poems in English with text. Read by the author.
Tag: Sijo
Writing Korean “Sijo” Poetry / David JIbson
A 10 minute video about the Korean short form.
Wire Hangers / David Jibson
From Year of Moons / David Jibson
October Rain
Plastic Shopping Bag / David Jibson
Midnight Snow / David Jibson
The Way of the River / David Jibson
Review of “Year of Moons”
Year of Moons is precious to me. These poems do what I look for; the poem says one thing but means something else. Case in point, my favorite in the collection is a haiku in which the fish breaks the surface. And my 2nd favorite, Way of the River with its ripples of radiating meanings. “Make it [the river] take you where you want to go.” I like the sensual nape of the neck poem, and the way Mr. Jibson makes a poem out of something we’re all familiar with (but don’t write about) like grandmother’s old recipe cards. Of the moon poems, travel moon takes the reader well outside its frame, a great quality in a poem. The same for the Milky Way poem. The thought and research that went into the making of Year of Moons are two of its great qualities, along with the sensitive observations throughout and depth and clarity the writer brought to the project.
– Laurence W. Thomas, Editor Emeritus
3rd Wednesday Magazine
Year of Moons by David Jibson is available as a free download at https://davidkjibson.com/
and is available in print at Amazon.com.
The Way of the River / David Jibson
The Way of the River: Sijo Poetry in English is my latest chapbook. It features many of my own Sijo poems and resource information on the Sijo form, including classical and contemporary examples. You can download a free PDF (Click the cover image).
Sijo is a concise Korean poetic form consisting of three lines, each containing 14-16 syllables, totaling 44-46 syllables. These lines feature a midpoint pause, akin to a caesura, although it need not adhere to a specific meter. The first half of each line encompasses six to nine syllables, while the second half should contain no fewer than five. Originally intended to be sung, Sijo typically explore themes of romance, metaphysics, or spirituality. Regardless of the topic, ideally, the first line introduces an idea or narrative, the second elaborates the theme, and the third offers closure, often with a twist. In modern times, Sijo are often presented in six lines.
David K. Jibson 