French kisses, or: Cultural barriers

A Sijo

I thought myself conversant in French
until I tried to hug her;
Still, my American cheeks flushed
from being kissed in friendship;
She spoke so many tongues...
but American? Not so much.

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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 “turn,” and the third provides closure. Modern sijo are sometimes printed in six lines.

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Twiglets #315

kiss on the cheek

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Moonwashed weekly prompt

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