2008 Sejong Writing Competition
Winning Entries :: Sijo
Jacob Diamond
first place
Cuisine?
I look through the window of the Korean barbeque place.
Ducks, chickens, creatures big and small, hang from the gallows of the cook.
Step inside and join the culture, leave your wishes at the door.
James Merideth
second place
True Beauty
There’s a house on the seashore, undisturbed by rot or decay.
In the house, there’s a woman, whose beauty outshines the great bay.
Yet, her flesh feels cold as ice; her eyes are closed; her breath is still.
Michael Chung
third place tie
Dreams on a Lake
I’m floating on the dark lake, dreaming I’m floating on a cloud
The surface of my tanned skin tingling as water dries on it
A man yells, “Hello, good neighbor!” breaking my dreams to pieces.
Janelle Torres
third place tie
Who Am I? Who Are You?
You want to know who I am,
But the true question is who are you?
I have told you once before
I’m the smoke to your fire,
I’m that lie you can trust,
I’m you as you come to me in your dreams