Sijo – Page 3 – David K. Jibson

The Way of the River / David Jibson

Published on June 19, 2024 by Editorial StaffLeave a comment

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.

Four Sijo / David Jibson

Published on April 30, 2024 by Editorial StaffLeave a comment

Two Poems from “The Way of the River” / David Jibson

Published on January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 by Editorial StaffLeave a comment

Download it FREE:

An autumn Sijo

Published on September 20, 2023 by Editorial StaffLeave a comment

This Sijo (a short Korean form) originally appeared in the Winter 2019 edition of The Bamboo Hut.

It is the time of year
that salmon come into the river
and the overnight temperatures
have begun to fall.
If the first frost were a bell,
you could hear it ring in the distance.

Four Sijo / David Jibson

Published on August 29, 2020 by Editorial StaffLeave a comment

This cycle of seasonal Sijo poems was first published by The Bamboo Hut and is now part of the collection, Protective Coloration (2020, Kelsay Books). It’s also available from Amazon.com.

Sijo is a Korean form 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, Contemporary Sijo are often printed in six lines.