2024 Sejong International Sijo Competition
Winners | Judges | Winning Entries
Winning Entries
The Distant Land of Morning Calm
Years ago, I said goodbye to my home in South Korea. There are days when I long for the distant land of morning calm. But at night, I’m at home again when Moon Rabbit is above.
Balance
The floating ballerina, the sylph Giselle, flees rehearsal. Her pointe shoes, once a fulcrum, abandoned at the gym entrance. Too much yin, she says lacing up boxing gloves; not enough yang.
dumped
You chewed me up and spat me out like gum that’s lost its flavor. Split in two, my torn heart leaks red as the streets of Pamplona. Eyes cried dry, my wry stoic smile is wishing you sticky shoes.
Echoes of Her Dad
As my hand strokes an old bow, a violin unfurls a tone. Golden sights embrace the strings, caressing skin with gentle touch. A quick flash graces upon mom’s face, sensing echoes of her dad.
Digital Erosion
Pixels peel from my childhood photos, memories pixel by pixel decay. I reach through glass, grasping at fading smiles lost to time. In this data-cloud haze, we dissolve, whispers in the static.
Snow, Wind, and Plums
Our plum tree's always breaking and growing back. Snow, wind, and plums. Bees adore her double blooms so she ripens flesh upon stone. Plums, plums, plums! No wonder she breaks! Snow, wind, and plums, our daughter.