2026 Sejong Writing Competition
Winning Entries :: Sijo
Adult division
Aurora
Couldn’t sleep. Got out of bed, went out to see the starry sky— but instead, gossamer sheets dripping colors hung there to dry. Who would dream tonight was the night for gods to do their laundry?
The Safe
My mother’s mind is a vault: Her treasury of memories; A lifetime of facts and stories. She keeps it all locked inside; Safe, but for time. With Alzheimer’s, She forgets the combination.
Domestic Diplomacy
Honey jar won't budge today: painful palm squeaks, lid ridge bites hard. Hot water, a counter thump, muttered physics. "Be nice daddy!" "Thank you jar," she twists and it pops. “Words matter, dad!” I agree.
The Sound of Life
In the country I listen for whisper of wind and cry of dove I strain my ear to hear the soaring of a baby bird taking flight When found in the city, silence is the loudest pleasure
Making Sense of It All
I want to write the book of my failures. It will be a long book. It may work best as a trilogy or alphabetized like the OED. I will write in disappearing ink, true to my theme and life.
Scrapbook
Voyager’s golden records— interstellar memorials. We were here. Though we’re long gone we live on in art, music, poems. How human, to leave graffiti drifting spaceward forever.
Pre-college division
Rubik's Cube
I stare deep into the cube, the six colors all intertwined. A puzzle that seems so simple, but with more states than grains of sand. It taunts me, knowing it's possible, but that's all I need — possible.
Foreign Frights
Boarding the plane that will take me from all I have known Dreading the landing in a place that seems alien to me Thinking all things would hate me- turns out to be what makes me happy
America, America
Powerful, we Own the world, we Create peace–all love and fear us. We are Great, built on Freedom, the “freest” nation, the world Laughs. Ignorant, built on Slavery, laughing stock, the world Cringes
Eternal Sleep
As I watch her lay still, slowly slipping into an eternal sleep. My heart torn to shreds, I try and shout yet no breath leaves my chest. Yet I find comfort, knowing her suffering ends here at last
Exploring the Familiar
I wander through the rainforest–wild, tangled, chaotic Trip and gasp as roots catch my feet, stumbling through twisted trees Don’t worry! It’s my little brother’s bedroom, and it always will be.
untitled
Braiding is an art to be perfected, month after month. Tender fingers gently weave my thick black curls into tight braids. The comb tugs through a knot stubbornly. I sigh. I wish Mom was here.
the Journey Continues
I thought growing up would feel like crossing a finish line, Like one clear moment when I’d finally arrive somewhere. But it’s really just me tying my shoes again, and walking on.
Piano Lessons
Small hands on black and white keys. The notes I played meant nothing to me. Why write songs that can’t be sung? Just pretty sounds, all empty noise. I still play, but now I sing, too. Who knew words could do so much?
Orchid Mantis
Delicate floral hues of pink. It adorns the silent creature, Concealing its sharpened hunger, lovely to the eye Spines folded beneath soft petals, as deceiving as a rose.