A ‘sijo’
true story (mostly): my cousin visited from Israel, squirrel'less childhood wanting until she saw one cracking walnuts; 'oh, what a sweetheart!' she cried, as it took apple from her hand
Twiglets #312
Moonwashed weekly prompt
Sijo?
A Korean verse form related to haiku and tanka and comprised of three lines of 14-16 syllables each, for a total of 44-46 syllables. Each line contains a pause near the middle, similar to a caesura, though the break need not be metrical. The first half of the line contains six to nine syllables; the second half should contain no fewer than five. Originally intended as songs, sijo can treat romantic, metaphysical, or spiritual themes. Whatever the subject, the first line introduces an idea or story, the second supplies a โturn,โ and the third provides closure. Modern sijo are sometimes printed in six lines.
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
Wonderfully told David and anything cute & new at any age is amazing in my book!!
๐๐ฅฐ Karima ๐ฅฐ๐
Haha. What a delightful poem! I love this. The message behind this is so powerful.
๐๐๐ป Lamittan ๐๐ป๐ ~ thanks!
~David
Most welcome, David. ๐
A delightful piece, David! There is an abundance of squirrels in my neck of the woods. It’s fun to watch their antics as they play in the trees.
๐๐๐ป Eugi ๐๐ป๐
๐David ๐
Such beautiful lines โจ
๐๐๐ป Navin ๐๐ป๐ ~ thanks!
~David
You’re welcome, David โจ๐๐ซ
Squirrels here will even steal food out of backpacks. They are at least cuter than rats. (K)
โค๏ธ ๐ฟ Kerfe ๐ฟ โค๏ธ
Iโm always amazed that people think them cute when in reality they are Not!
๐๐๐ป Muri ๐๐ป๐ ~ I think they are!
So sweet. Love it.๐
๐๐๐ป Grace ๐๐ป๐
๐๐๐
Is your cousin from New Jersey? The squirrels there are like Godzilla. ๐ ๐ฟ๏ธ
I grew up in NJ. My cousin grew up in the Negev โบ๏ธ
Oops! I’m from New York. A lot of what New Yorkers do is complain about New Jersey! ๐คฃ
It’s all good ๐๐ป
Oh i love this! So real ๐
๐๐ฟ Sangeetha ๐๐ฟ
There are no oak-hickory forests in Israel?
How lovely you captured her feelings in this sijo.
I just Googled information about squirrels in Israel… apparently there are some now, but they’re an invasive species…
When my cousin visited us in our (hers and mine) childhood, she’d never seen one… that was in the late 80’s, I think.
Ah yes, I know this from where I was born. These nut trees are alien in my country as well
I only got to see a squirrel (the grey ones) when I visited the Cape Town Gardens on a field trip with my classmates moons ago, so I can somewhat imagine her feelings.
We havenโt any here, however we saw many in the USA in the 80s.
๐ฟ Andrew ๐ฟ
Oh, Iโm led to believe that they are Indigenous to North America, I dont quite know where, there.
The Grey squirrel was introduced into South Africa by Cecil John Rhodes. I think they must be popular in Holland as well since also eat the fruit of tulip poplar.
They Gray is also the most active of all the squirrels. Not so much during the day. They love the early mornings as well as the evenings.
Interesting pest.
๐คญ Abi ๐คญ ~ you’ve done your research!
๐, yes David.
I once was a teacher.