Entry #627373, added on 01-02-09 @ 5:41 am EST
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| The Traditional and the Modern Sijo | Entry #627373 |
The Traditional and the Modern Sijo
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The Traditional Sijo
The Sijo (see-zhoo) poetry form originated in Korea and over the years has become the most beloved of poetry forms in Korea. In its truest form, the Sijo is a song-like poem. Like the popular haiku, the Sijo has ties to nature.
The traditional Sijo has one stanza of three lines. Each line carries 14-16 syllables for a total of 44 to 46 syllables in the stanza. Within each 14-16 syllable line, a natural pause occurs midway in the line, resulting in two half-lines with a total of 6-9 syllables.
Following is an example of a traditional Sijo poem, with an explanation:
Although the classic sijo adheres closely to syllabic restrictions, it doesn’t simply count syllables. It is more phrasal than syllabic. Because of its nature and the nature of Hangul, the Korean script, the structure of sijo resembles Hebrew & biblical verse. In English it may resemble Hopkins’ sprung rhythm. To achieve this effect, each long line, once divided, is divided again, into quarters averaging 3-5 syllables. This phrasal quality is a basic feature of the form. Meter is not vital in sijo, but that musical link is. In the following verse, the midline break is represented by two slashes (//) and the quarter-line breaks by one (/).
how lovely / this spruce tree // its limbs laden / with virgin snow
the bloodred / on a robin's breast // the skyblue / of a mountain jay
for such wonder/ what wise man // would not know / his Creator ?
~~ an'ya
http://thewordshop.tripod.com/Sijo/sijo-index.htm
Elizabeth St. Jacques suggests the following syllabic format for the Sijo poetry form:
for 14 syllables: 7 + 7; 6 + 8 (or) 8 + 6
for 15 syllables: 7 + 8 (or) 8 + 7
for 16 syllables: 8 + 8; 9 + 7 (or) 7 + 9
Each group (i.e. - 7 + 7) indicates a line or couplet comprised of two parts: 7 syllables in the first half of the line or couplet, and 7 syllables in the last half.
Western poets are encouraged not to exceed 46 syllables. Otherwise the sijo tends to look and sound more like free verse than sijo. I have no complaint, however, when a sijo has fewer than 44 syllables – providing the musical quality that is so important to sijo is not sacrificed.
The sijo may be narrative or thematic, serious or humorous and evokes human emotion. Line 1 presents a problem or theme; line 2 develops or "turns" the thought; line 3 resolves the problem or concludes the theme. Important: the first half of line 3 employs a "twist" by means of a surprise in meaning, sound, tone or other device. To end the poem with a surprise (a profound or humorous turn) is a must.
Rarely does a sijo require title. When a title is used, make certain it is absolutely essential. That is, a title should either provide information necessary to understand the poem or serve to lure the reader (by creating a little mystery) into reading the poem. If a title lifts a phrase from the sijo, then a title is unnecessary.
http://members.tripod.com/~Startag/AboutSijo.html
The Modern Sijo
Modern poets have given the Sijo a different look. Instead of one line with 14-16 syllables and a natural pause midway, the modern poet has composed the one line as two lines, make the stanza six lines instead of two. ,
Instead of one line with 14 syllables, the modern Sijo will divide the one line into two lines: (The same will apply with 15 or 16 syllable line formats as given in the previous suggestion by Elizabeth St. Jacques.)
If line 1 has seven syllables, line 2 will have seven syllables.
If line 1 has eight syllables, line 2 will have six syllables.
If line 1 has six syllables, line two will have eight syllables, where lines one and two add up to 14 syllables.
In the Modern Sijo, lines 1 and 2 presents a problem or theme, lines 3 and 4 develop or "turn" the thought, and lines 5 and 6 resolve the problem or conclude the theme. Lines 5 and 6 employ the "twist" - a surprise in meaning, sound, tone or other device. To end the poem with a surprise (a profound or humorous turn) is a requirement of the Modern Sijo poetry form.
For poets who enjoy shorter lines, the Modern Sijo works well. I also like the Modern Sijo form because, like the many sonnet forms, it has the “twist or turn” in the last two lines of the poem.
Following is a Modern Sijo poem I composed. Notice that I have used 44 syllables in my poem, using the 8/6/8/6/8/6 syllabic format. Lines 1-2 present the problem; lines 3-4 develop an alternative, though one that is not the best, lines 5-6 provide the twist or profound effect upon the family. The poem also provides a hint of nature. No title is required for a Sijo poem.
Evicted, numbered as homeless,
when snowflakes fly at night.
For cold, frightened children, evil
brews in local shelters.
Warm laughter of a family
echoes in safe havens.
larryp
1/1/2009
~~Find out how you can provide a safe haven in your community for homeless families with children, visit http://www.familypromise.org/
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