2022 Wisconsin Sijo Competition
Winners | Judges | Winners' Sijo
Winners' Sijo
Adult division
Should the Blossoms Survive
She shovels winter’s ashes into a pail. Soft soot will feed
spring’s first pink tulips and the taproots of thistle. The queen bee sleeps.
Her phone rings. Next month she begins a double blind chemo trial.
Sunrise Walk on the Ice Age Trail
This fall morning, steam off the drainage marsh copies my coffee cup.
Black birds balance on white-tufted cattails like the last few flecks
of pepper in my mostly salty beard. Frost is forecasted soon.
Senior division
Fading to the Farmhouse Bench
My quick-witted grandfather
now asks if he’s had dinner.
He asks the name of the grandchild
beside him at the table.
Still, he recalls each meal on the farm
between brothers Mike and Bill.
Untitled
clouds stand still, they look painted
on the canvas of the blue sky.
soft grass tickles my arms and legs.
birds chirp loud. not loud enough,
to drown out the screams and yelling
of my parents inside the house
She
She holds our past, our love, our future. She knows our weakness and strength.
She dances with the stars and glimmers in the bright sun, floating above it all.
“The moon is quite beautiful, isn’t she?” "Yes, she's breathtaking."
Junior division
Winter Nights
The pale moonlight reflects on the white snow, casting shadows.
The tree branches hitting each other in an endless fight
finally, peace for the rest of the night. I sleep until morning.
Farm Life
Cows can be naughty and some can be nice but be careful!
It is hard to pick up after the cow but I can not give up.
When the power goes out it is hard to milk the cows by hand.