Exceptional A Sijo poem - this week's Japanese Poetry Club assignment Finding Balance by Rachelle Allen

I stand ensconced in mist and wonder how you came to choose me   You of high-brow experiences and me a child of nature   A mountain and a valley, yet able to find common ground     Recognized Author Notes Themes for Classic Sijo are cosmological, metaphysical or pastoral. Originally, they were meant to be songs. Classic Sijo are written in three lines, each averaging 14-16 syllables for a total of 44-46 syllables. ENGLISH MODERN SIJO FORM may be written in SIX LINES with A TOTAL OF 44 to 46 syllables or less. The first line is usually written in a 3-4-4-4 and states the theme of the poem. The second line is usually written in a 3-4-4-4 pattern and is an elaboration of the first line's theme and development. The third line is divided into two sections. The first section, the counter-theme, is grouped as 3-5, while the second part, considered the conclusion of the poem, is written as 4-3. The counter-theme is called the 'twist,' which is usually a surprise in meaning, sound, or other device

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