A Sijo
we choose fear, faith, or both, she says, naïvely assured, childlike; I wince at the innocent condescension and broke beliefs; a broken rock blocks the view, which takes courage to circumvent
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.
Twiglets #320
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!
This is very interesting, David! It takes courage to have faith in the face of fear.
Indeed, O’Nika!
And it takes courage to avoid hiding behind faith to face fear.
Much love,
David
right on point. (I too think so). so well done David! 💗
💝🙏🏻 Cindy 🙏🏻💝 ~ thanks!
You’re so welcome David! 💞
A thought provoking poem
❤️🙏🏻 Sadje 🙏🏻❤️
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
You made a valid point and I can only applaud the courage in this sijo!
💖🙏🏻 Muri 🙏🏻💖
There are never just two alternatives. Life is much more complex than that. (K)
💝🙏🏻 Kerfe 🙏🏻💝 ~ exactly; and this is one of my difficulties with “faith”.
Me too.
It takes courage to deal with our fears and keep the faith.
💚🙏🏻 Filipa 🙏🏻💚
Your sijo cleverly expresses your perspective (and mine) so well, David!
💛🙏🏻 Cheryl 🙏🏻💛 ~ thanks!
Wonderful.
💝🙏🏻 Molly 🙏🏻💝
Great response, David.
💗🙏🏻 Misky 🙏🏻💗
The last 2 lines of this David are profound & so true! 🤔🤔👌👌👋👋 💯💯 On the subject of faith vs fear or both: We all live with some type of fear or phobia but I believe if you’ve faith in yourself as opposed to a higher power then you can, to borrow your word, circumvent it! 💪👍😁
hmn…
I like that, Ken… Maybe:
faith in one’s self = courage
Absolutely dude! 👍👍💯💯 And it’s that courage that’ll get us through a lot of fearful or anxiety inducing situations.
💪🏻
And more I admire
The strength of the closure
Sets the soul on fire.
🔥🙏🏻 Abi 🙏🏻🔥
🔥 🔥
fear, faith or both – interesting to consider
To me, the juxtaposition itself presents the problem of faith in stark terms ~ the very human and relatable avoidance of fear does not make one’s faith true.
an excellent point