Sijo is composed in three lines of 14-16 syllables each.

A pause breaks each line approximately in the middle.

Each half-line contains 6-9 syllables; the last half of the final line is often shorter than the rest, but should contain no fewer than 5.

The sijo may be narrative or thematic, introducing a situation or problem in line 1, development or "turn" in line 2, and resolution in line 3.

The first half of the final line employs a "twist": a surprise of meaning, sound, tone or other device. The sijo is more lyrical, subjective and personal than haiku, and the final line can take a profound, witty, humorous or proverbial turn.

Like haiku, sijo has a strong basis in nature, but, unlike that genre, it frequently employs metaphors, symbols, puns, allusions and similar word play. The three characteristics that make sijo unique: basic structure, musical/rhythmic elements, and the twist.

Example:

Let me ask you, butterfly, do you remember your cocoon?
Perhaps you recall spinning thread, a caterpillar's ungainly crawl?
If we can jog your memory, maybe there is hope for me.

© 1995 Larry Gross

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