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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 1h

Thank you very much! That's interesting (and nice!) to hear. I think because each line has an aspect of "light" under discussion, that allows for a cleaner contrast than might otherwise occur. It's neat how making things similar along one dimension can accentuate their difference along others!

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 1h

The voice calls, in snowflake words; which hang glistening, on my dim tongue.

I listen, to the shaped silence; which roars so quiet, I can barely not hear.

You claim I, speak these twinkling echoes; I know it is they, that spoke me.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 2d

Such a lovely collection of poems! It's really nice to make the acquaintance of a fellow sijo-writer. It's so impressive how you have managed to make such varied and deep connections with these birds!

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 2d

The dead woman, had your full name; spelled differently, but that little mattered.

My eyes burned, with confused tears; at this strange loss, of your nominal twin.

I have been, too callous to others’ tragedies; now I share a piece, of their pain.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 4d

As we wait, for that distant news; the hours press us, like a too-soaked garment.

Selfishly, I wish the strife begun; to escape the weight, of anticipation.

Not my war, though it is surely ours; this impaling watch, has been no peace.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 7d

Burning dreams, in broken scenes; the thunder rolls, so silently.

Winter’s eye, has lost the lie; as flags are waved, before the light.

Fair Sunday, weeps to hear them preach; they know too well, what they do.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 9d

Love’s first seed, is a windy impulse; love’s grown tree, bears the weight of mountains.

On meeting you, I could fly to the moon; duty’s gravity, now holds me to your earth.

Soaring hopes, of our wandering passions; have finally found, a place to land.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 12d

When we parted, I did not cry; for I had not yet, known your absence.

Returning, to the empty room; the silence wrung me, like a wet sponge.

Now I see, the you-shaped gap in all my moments; my tears have dried, but still I weep.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 12d

Thank you very much!

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 14d

Wonderful! I love swings too! At some parks, they're sturdy enough it seems clear that it's fine for adults to use. At others, that's not so clear at all, and I always cast longing glances at them before having to sadly slink away... that feeling is so nicely captured here!

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 14d

Those who stare, only at their shadows; often bemoan, the lack of sun.

Easier, to expound self-darkness; than to turn and face, the light outside.

Their warped wit, belies an aching fear; to love and lose, the good and bright.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 15d

We are seen, by the great seer; music box dancers, to the tune of life.

To sense, is to create within; so the grand conscious, becomes our varied selves.

Those who doubt, the spirits of stuffed animals; little know themselves, the toys of God.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 18d

I find blank, but not emptiness; unordered points, waiting for lines.

This void, is one of spaces; its boiling questions, overflowing maybes.

By no right, I churn the depths to form; as “what” dissolves, into “this”.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 18d

There was a joy, that freedom wrought; when solitude, was my prairie plain.

It has been plowed, and lies thick with harvest; yet where now roams, that frolicking spirit?

Growing up, is a gain of distance from the ground; the ripe ear longs, for its root.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 20d

Thank you very much! While not precisely a paraphrase, that line is very inspired by something Confucius said, so some credit goes to him!

Of course, the foolish or misguided can change and adapt too, but not necessarily for the better. Maybe an aspect of wisdom is knowing *how* to adapt

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 20d

Evening mist, the humid gray; though winter, the air is seasonless.

To this place, there is no first visit; each journey, is a return.

In the haze, the womb of stories grrs; the twilight humming, with sun-lost germs.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 23d

No shortage, of true adages; no end either, to their contradictions.

“The brave man, never gives up”; “letting go, is the path of true strength”.

Real wisdom, lies in correct selection; a sage must be, an editor.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 25d

When the bough, ripped from the trunk; I was surprised, to see new sky.

One might think, the tree would rot; but in partial death, opportunity blooms.

New green shoots, have grown to drink that sky; the unbowed trunk, branching anew.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 26d

The blinding, of burning snow; has dulled with twilight, to a graying glow.

The hard dirt, hides hidden ice; the frozen remains, of a melting dream.

The dusk air, is warm in its stillness; as harsh winter’s day, gentles to night.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 28d

Bedroom walls, were today’s horizons; the well-worn view, of a sick day.

My mind slept, at strange intervals; and I could not tell, if I was hungry.

But I felt, your love in each glass of honey tea; and even this day, was happy.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · 29d

The beauty, of averages; take me, as a composite.

Ever erring, from my mean truth; I am all at once, my time-collapsed self.

Tell me why, it was set in motion; this twisting prism, called history.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · Sep 13

The cube, is undying; for its wordily forms, are not itself.

Smash some dice, and the cube is unharmed; the atoms alone, have suffered change.

Am I not, a 3D shape of sorts; held eternal, in Logic’s weave?

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · Sep 12

With windy steps, the water is marching; in the ice-locked pace, of a thousand waves.

The winter beach, barren but for debris; bears the tinkling beat, of tiny shards of freeze.

Above us, the pure sky is a merciless blue; as cold sunlight bathes, the river’s sway.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · Sep 10

I had laughed off, the old paradoxes; misbelieving them, too easily solved.

Ever creeping, that smug assumption; that yesterday’s men, were hopelessly naive.

Now I see, I have no solutions; but to heed better, the worthy dead.

#sijo

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American Sijo @americansijo.bsky.social · Sep 8

I had no words, to assuage your grief; fearing kind phrases, would sting like hot rain.

So silence, was my poor gift to you; though I feared that too, would have its own bite.

Yet I know, it is not too late to exchange; thus my nightly stare, at this blank page.

#sijo

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