American Sijo
@americansijo.bsky.social
I write English language poetry in a style inspired by traditional Korean sijo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sijo). Currently reposting my Twitter backlog until this account catches up.
Behind the rains, the sun’s still shining; and no cloud, can halt the dawn.
Beneath the earth, roots are growing; and a spring, must follow snow.
In your heart, there’s blood still flowing; and so hope will, carry on.
#sijo
Beneath the earth, roots are growing; and a spring, must follow snow.
In your heart, there’s blood still flowing; and so hope will, carry on.
#sijo
November 28, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Behind the rains, the sun’s still shining; and no cloud, can halt the dawn.
Beneath the earth, roots are growing; and a spring, must follow snow.
In your heart, there’s blood still flowing; and so hope will, carry on.
#sijo
Beneath the earth, roots are growing; and a spring, must follow snow.
In your heart, there’s blood still flowing; and so hope will, carry on.
#sijo
Election day, a kind of dread; as the long debate, erupts to decision.
Yes the polls, look favorable; but the margins, wail banshees in my ears.
All these years, I have hoped for today; waiting now the count, my breath trembles.
#sijo
Yes the polls, look favorable; but the margins, wail banshees in my ears.
All these years, I have hoped for today; waiting now the count, my breath trembles.
#sijo
November 26, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Election day, a kind of dread; as the long debate, erupts to decision.
Yes the polls, look favorable; but the margins, wail banshees in my ears.
All these years, I have hoped for today; waiting now the count, my breath trembles.
#sijo
Yes the polls, look favorable; but the margins, wail banshees in my ears.
All these years, I have hoped for today; waiting now the count, my breath trembles.
#sijo
Evening comes, in overcast white; as air’s warm armor, is pierced with chill.
Spring’s progress, retreats by night; warning of chill noons, in days to come.
My leaving, inches unspokenly closer; will the flowers bloom, before then?
#sijo
Spring’s progress, retreats by night; warning of chill noons, in days to come.
My leaving, inches unspokenly closer; will the flowers bloom, before then?
#sijo
November 24, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Evening comes, in overcast white; as air’s warm armor, is pierced with chill.
Spring’s progress, retreats by night; warning of chill noons, in days to come.
My leaving, inches unspokenly closer; will the flowers bloom, before then?
#sijo
Spring’s progress, retreats by night; warning of chill noons, in days to come.
My leaving, inches unspokenly closer; will the flowers bloom, before then?
#sijo
I have crossed, all the names off a list; of those whose love, was less than mine.
I erase, in the dark of each dawn; the ledgers of warmth, spent into loss.
Yet the morn, finds the heart not so easily cleaned; and past cares remain, part of me.
#sijo
I erase, in the dark of each dawn; the ledgers of warmth, spent into loss.
Yet the morn, finds the heart not so easily cleaned; and past cares remain, part of me.
#sijo
November 21, 2025 at 12:09 PM
I have crossed, all the names off a list; of those whose love, was less than mine.
I erase, in the dark of each dawn; the ledgers of warmth, spent into loss.
Yet the morn, finds the heart not so easily cleaned; and past cares remain, part of me.
#sijo
I erase, in the dark of each dawn; the ledgers of warmth, spent into loss.
Yet the morn, finds the heart not so easily cleaned; and past cares remain, part of me.
#sijo
The cold air, huddles me heatward; for I know chill, and long for warmth.
So tragedy, cries out for healing; for we know pain, and long for justice.
Yet our hearts, have frozen to numb; the righteous man, must learn to thaw.
#sijo
So tragedy, cries out for healing; for we know pain, and long for justice.
Yet our hearts, have frozen to numb; the righteous man, must learn to thaw.
#sijo
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 AM
The cold air, huddles me heatward; for I know chill, and long for warmth.
So tragedy, cries out for healing; for we know pain, and long for justice.
Yet our hearts, have frozen to numb; the righteous man, must learn to thaw.
#sijo
So tragedy, cries out for healing; for we know pain, and long for justice.
Yet our hearts, have frozen to numb; the righteous man, must learn to thaw.
#sijo
While she walks, as a gentle dog; her shadow saunters, a fearsome wolf.
Panting mouth, and fluffy fur; twin to gaping jaws, and armored hackles.
I see now, the beast she could choose to be; and give honest thanks, for her love.
#sijo
Panting mouth, and fluffy fur; twin to gaping jaws, and armored hackles.
I see now, the beast she could choose to be; and give honest thanks, for her love.
#sijo
November 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
While she walks, as a gentle dog; her shadow saunters, a fearsome wolf.
Panting mouth, and fluffy fur; twin to gaping jaws, and armored hackles.
I see now, the beast she could choose to be; and give honest thanks, for her love.
#sijo
Panting mouth, and fluffy fur; twin to gaping jaws, and armored hackles.
I see now, the beast she could choose to be; and give honest thanks, for her love.
#sijo
We are masks, for the faceless; we are markers, for the unknown.
I build me, as eyes open; I absorb me, as curtains close.
As a word, proclaims a meaning; so the conscious, proclaims the soul.
#sijo
I build me, as eyes open; I absorb me, as curtains close.
As a word, proclaims a meaning; so the conscious, proclaims the soul.
#sijo
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
We are masks, for the faceless; we are markers, for the unknown.
I build me, as eyes open; I absorb me, as curtains close.
As a word, proclaims a meaning; so the conscious, proclaims the soul.
#sijo
I build me, as eyes open; I absorb me, as curtains close.
As a word, proclaims a meaning; so the conscious, proclaims the soul.
#sijo
Evening drips, to so-called morning; night’s alias, before the sunrise.
My anger, is at nothing; so I rail at God, because he won’t get mad.
Ugliness, erupts in me like a vine; and I hide my face, from the night sky.
#sijo
My anger, is at nothing; so I rail at God, because he won’t get mad.
Ugliness, erupts in me like a vine; and I hide my face, from the night sky.
#sijo
November 12, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Evening drips, to so-called morning; night’s alias, before the sunrise.
My anger, is at nothing; so I rail at God, because he won’t get mad.
Ugliness, erupts in me like a vine; and I hide my face, from the night sky.
#sijo
My anger, is at nothing; so I rail at God, because he won’t get mad.
Ugliness, erupts in me like a vine; and I hide my face, from the night sky.
#sijo
Old habits, recapture the corners; ambushing instants, retreating at thought.
Discipline, flickers to indolence; shrugging off failings, in wordy remonstrance.
“Hypocrite”, I self-charge with sanctimony; knowing that too, for an excuse.
#sijo
Discipline, flickers to indolence; shrugging off failings, in wordy remonstrance.
“Hypocrite”, I self-charge with sanctimony; knowing that too, for an excuse.
#sijo
November 10, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Old habits, recapture the corners; ambushing instants, retreating at thought.
Discipline, flickers to indolence; shrugging off failings, in wordy remonstrance.
“Hypocrite”, I self-charge with sanctimony; knowing that too, for an excuse.
#sijo
Discipline, flickers to indolence; shrugging off failings, in wordy remonstrance.
“Hypocrite”, I self-charge with sanctimony; knowing that too, for an excuse.
#sijo
The true war, is not between nations; though their conflicts, oft serve as battlefronts.
In every heart, empires grapple; in campaigns older, than long-vanished Sumer.
Our lone foe, dwells in the darkness of the soul; all worldly tyrants, but bear its flag.
#sijo
In every heart, empires grapple; in campaigns older, than long-vanished Sumer.
Our lone foe, dwells in the darkness of the soul; all worldly tyrants, but bear its flag.
#sijo
November 7, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The true war, is not between nations; though their conflicts, oft serve as battlefronts.
In every heart, empires grapple; in campaigns older, than long-vanished Sumer.
Our lone foe, dwells in the darkness of the soul; all worldly tyrants, but bear its flag.
#sijo
In every heart, empires grapple; in campaigns older, than long-vanished Sumer.
Our lone foe, dwells in the darkness of the soul; all worldly tyrants, but bear its flag.
#sijo
Dying holds, little romance; though many proclaim, they’d die for love.
A noble death, rarely takes long; the full devotion, is to live with duty.
Life is not, confined to its endpoints; the true heart guides, the path between.
#sijo
A noble death, rarely takes long; the full devotion, is to live with duty.
Life is not, confined to its endpoints; the true heart guides, the path between.
#sijo
November 5, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Dying holds, little romance; though many proclaim, they’d die for love.
A noble death, rarely takes long; the full devotion, is to live with duty.
Life is not, confined to its endpoints; the true heart guides, the path between.
#sijo
A noble death, rarely takes long; the full devotion, is to live with duty.
Life is not, confined to its endpoints; the true heart guides, the path between.
#sijo
The battle, out there somewhere; day-late rumors, of lines and charges.
Silence, is our main news; we will all know, when the siege begins.
We feel you, through the absence of them; our dim guardians, in the fog.
#sijo
Silence, is our main news; we will all know, when the siege begins.
We feel you, through the absence of them; our dim guardians, in the fog.
#sijo
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The battle, out there somewhere; day-late rumors, of lines and charges.
Silence, is our main news; we will all know, when the siege begins.
We feel you, through the absence of them; our dim guardians, in the fog.
#sijo
Silence, is our main news; we will all know, when the siege begins.
We feel you, through the absence of them; our dim guardians, in the fog.
#sijo
I sat, in your chair today; trying to enjoy, the warming sun.
I knew, you’d have told me to; yet still I felt, a mournful twinge.
Foolishly, I blame the winter; for being cold, while you were here.
#sijo
I knew, you’d have told me to; yet still I felt, a mournful twinge.
Foolishly, I blame the winter; for being cold, while you were here.
#sijo
October 31, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I sat, in your chair today; trying to enjoy, the warming sun.
I knew, you’d have told me to; yet still I felt, a mournful twinge.
Foolishly, I blame the winter; for being cold, while you were here.
#sijo
I knew, you’d have told me to; yet still I felt, a mournful twinge.
Foolishly, I blame the winter; for being cold, while you were here.
#sijo
Rainy pond, bubbles with spring’s first frogs; chittering business, to the soggy air.
The clouds flow, in a silver stream; as winter unfurls, its travelling sails.
My approach, hushes the bog to stillness; and the wind calls me, to move on.
#sijo
The clouds flow, in a silver stream; as winter unfurls, its travelling sails.
My approach, hushes the bog to stillness; and the wind calls me, to move on.
#sijo
October 29, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Rainy pond, bubbles with spring’s first frogs; chittering business, to the soggy air.
The clouds flow, in a silver stream; as winter unfurls, its travelling sails.
My approach, hushes the bog to stillness; and the wind calls me, to move on.
#sijo
The clouds flow, in a silver stream; as winter unfurls, its travelling sails.
My approach, hushes the bog to stillness; and the wind calls me, to move on.
#sijo
My feet today, feel miles away; unlike the war, which feels next door.
I marvel, as I flex my toes; while waiting to hear, if the shooting’s started.
Nations march, and I remain here; staring impotent, at my still feet.
#sijo
I marvel, as I flex my toes; while waiting to hear, if the shooting’s started.
Nations march, and I remain here; staring impotent, at my still feet.
#sijo
October 27, 2025 at 9:22 AM
My feet today, feel miles away; unlike the war, which feels next door.
I marvel, as I flex my toes; while waiting to hear, if the shooting’s started.
Nations march, and I remain here; staring impotent, at my still feet.
#sijo
I marvel, as I flex my toes; while waiting to hear, if the shooting’s started.
Nations march, and I remain here; staring impotent, at my still feet.
#sijo
Without you, the spirit lessens; a wall in my thoughts, dams insights to mire.
Fireflies, flit lossfully; in that sacred place, I can no longer go.
Lonely eyes, watch through the fence in my mind; as I scheme dearly, to restore you.
#sijo
Fireflies, flit lossfully; in that sacred place, I can no longer go.
Lonely eyes, watch through the fence in my mind; as I scheme dearly, to restore you.
#sijo
October 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Without you, the spirit lessens; a wall in my thoughts, dams insights to mire.
Fireflies, flit lossfully; in that sacred place, I can no longer go.
Lonely eyes, watch through the fence in my mind; as I scheme dearly, to restore you.
#sijo
Fireflies, flit lossfully; in that sacred place, I can no longer go.
Lonely eyes, watch through the fence in my mind; as I scheme dearly, to restore you.
#sijo
High and low, are spanned as one; by the ranking bridge, of gradation.
All extremes, but chosen points; each embodying, a piece of the measure.
Unity, in the division of dimensions; the valley sings, the summit’s song.
#sijo
All extremes, but chosen points; each embodying, a piece of the measure.
Unity, in the division of dimensions; the valley sings, the summit’s song.
#sijo
October 22, 2025 at 10:04 AM
High and low, are spanned as one; by the ranking bridge, of gradation.
All extremes, but chosen points; each embodying, a piece of the measure.
Unity, in the division of dimensions; the valley sings, the summit’s song.
#sijo
All extremes, but chosen points; each embodying, a piece of the measure.
Unity, in the division of dimensions; the valley sings, the summit’s song.
#sijo
Purple waves, spread the shallow sea; in flowing hills, of berry wine.
Within each, a thousand more; glinting in all hues, redder than violet.
Towel-bound, my eyes transfix downwards; seeing the ocean, in every thread.
#sijo
Within each, a thousand more; glinting in all hues, redder than violet.
Towel-bound, my eyes transfix downwards; seeing the ocean, in every thread.
#sijo
October 20, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Purple waves, spread the shallow sea; in flowing hills, of berry wine.
Within each, a thousand more; glinting in all hues, redder than violet.
Towel-bound, my eyes transfix downwards; seeing the ocean, in every thread.
#sijo
Within each, a thousand more; glinting in all hues, redder than violet.
Towel-bound, my eyes transfix downwards; seeing the ocean, in every thread.
#sijo
Tumbling moons, of ruling Jupiter; the ships overshone, by the anchor.
We watched you, without sighting; dreaming our eyes, the central vision.
Oh the tide, your photic sails finally wrought; as they landed in, our lensèd ports.
#sijo
We watched you, without sighting; dreaming our eyes, the central vision.
Oh the tide, your photic sails finally wrought; as they landed in, our lensèd ports.
#sijo
October 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Tumbling moons, of ruling Jupiter; the ships overshone, by the anchor.
We watched you, without sighting; dreaming our eyes, the central vision.
Oh the tide, your photic sails finally wrought; as they landed in, our lensèd ports.
#sijo
We watched you, without sighting; dreaming our eyes, the central vision.
Oh the tide, your photic sails finally wrought; as they landed in, our lensèd ports.
#sijo
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
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
October 15, 2025 at 7:48 AM
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
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
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
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
October 13, 2025 at 9:18 AM
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
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
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
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
October 10, 2025 at 11:39 AM
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
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
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
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
October 8, 2025 at 6:49 AM
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
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
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
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
October 6, 2025 at 3:17 AM
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
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
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
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
October 3, 2025 at 8:51 AM
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
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