The Clock Can’t Follow the Sunlight

The man-made change of seasons,

depression's food autumn and spring,

for three weeks timing flounders

on the burner of deficit.

The clock can't follow the sunlight

over mountains to its hearth.

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Each year, the Sejong Cultural Society runs one or two competitions for sijo- traditional Korean form poetry that was originally set to music.

The form follows a strict syllable count as does haiku, but the rules can be bent to the service of the overall meaning.

The first line is composed of a 3/4/4/4 syllable count introducing the theme of the poem.

The second line is also composed of 3/4/4/4 syllable groupings and expands upon the theme.

In the third line, a counter theme group of 3/5 syllables is introduced followed by the conclusion, a 4/3 syllable grouping.

You can find out more about how to write a sijo and read entries by past years winners at The Sejong Cultural Society website.