Alankar (Decor)-23 Poem by Indira Renganathan

The elements of the Sijo are:

syllabic verse, although the phrase, not the syllable is the rhythm of the line.
Total syllable count can vary from 44 to 46.

written in 3 units,
introduction to situation or problem,
development of situation (turn) ,
c. strong conclusion (twist)

written in any number of3 or 6 line stanzas. (usually translations are written in 6 lines)
an interplay of the sound, rhythm and meaning is the core of the sijo.

written with any subject is permissible. It can be frank, humorous, and often satirical.
may use puns, metaphor and other figurative or rhetorical tools.

usually introduces an emphatic division in the last line in the form of a counter theme,
paradox, resolution, judgment, command or exclamation shifting the poem to subjectivity.

when written in tercets, the 3 lines are made up of of
L1 & L2 written with 4 syllabic phrases (3-4,3-4.)14 syllables.
There is a minor pause at the end of the 2nd phrase and major pause at the end of the line.
L3 written in 4 syllabic phrase (3-6,4-3)16 syllables

(when written in sixains, the 6 lines are made up of of:
L1 -L4 written in 2 syllabic phrases (3-4)7 syllables,
with a pause at the end of each line.
L5 written in 2 syllabic phrases (3-6)9 syllables
L6 written in 2 syllabic phrases (4-3)7 syllables.)



1 Sad life By In-Laws

sweet ice cream, at first his mom, cute wife his, to love so much
Days pass by, mom turns wicked, hurting handlings, life is sad
Other way, wicked daughters a few, fate sent sometimes, life to cry

2 Prickly Summer

Hot summer, heat-rash prickling, ants-mites bite, bitten we cry
Air coolers, Cool home shelters, small insects, unwanted guests
Paradise, infesters think swarming, if you don't mind, be bitten