"From A to Z and back to A"
What moment is of the utmost importance in all our lives?
Nature always following the one True path of expression.
Our thoughts and creations placed and labeled in order of time.
What moment is of the utmost importance in all our lives?
Below, are nine of my recent sijo that follow the abcedarian poetry form. Abcedarian poetry uses the alphabet in sequence as the beginning letter for each line.
Sijo have three lines. My first sijo is ABC, second sijo is DEF, third is GHI, etc.
We are Back!
Announcing their return to the lands of Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Better days to come filled with cheerful songs of warm tomorrows.
Can we find peace and joy in their songs without knowing the words?
I Spy an Eye
Dawn long since passed and the Great Light has revealed much of the world.
Eyes upon you pondering intentions and questions follow.
From which direction have you come and to which direction will you go?
What do you see?
Golden rays of warmth from the Great Light bringing forth the new day.
Hues of ivory and timber causing the mind confusion.
Is what I see an image created from within or without?
Kaleidoscope
Jumbled together, remains of wooden lives littered about.
Kaleidoscopic colours revealed in a blink of an eye.
Lost in an instant: where are the colours of those still living?
Seasonal Change
Migrating from warmer lands to colder climes with hope for Spring.
Now that we have arrived, we wait out the seasonal changes.
Occupied with thoughts of tomorrow: how do we best live now?
Nature’s Calendar
Powder snow coats the world of Spring with reminders of Winter.
Question arises: why have you not left us as the calendar states?
Response thusly: Nature follows no calendar made by us.
Memories Flowing
Snow-covered trail a cold white canvas of Winter revealing.
Turkey feather fallen from the owner now nowhere in sight.
Under the feather memories flowing in flight forever?
Rusty
Vitality breathing in the fresh air of the Spring season.
Where have you come from friendly neighbour of Nature, may I ask?
Xanthic shades of rusty gold raise questions of their origin.
Sentry Duty
Your awareness expanding beyond senses and surroundings.
Zenith of life is the present moment offering freedom.
Announcing your return each day, bringing new life this season.
The final sijo is YZA. This final sijo returns to the beginning and closes the circle. This reminded me of my all-time favourite scene from my favourite Korean movie: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring (봄 여름 가을 겨울 그리고 봄. 2003)
I enjoyed writing abecedarian poetry and blending with my sijo. A poetic hat-tip to
and for introducing me to and inspiring me to try writing abecedarian poetry.Check out their collaboration series. Below is Part 4 in their 6-part collaboration and
used the abcedarian poetry form in her poem “Fiddlehead.”
English - Korean:
Spring = 봄 / bom (pronounced like ‘bome’)
Summer = 여름 / yeo-reum (pronounced like ‘yuh-reum’)
Fall/Autumn = 가을 /ka-eul (pronounced like ‘ka-eul’)
Winter = 겨울 / kyeo-ul (‘pronounced like ‘kyuh-ool’)
March 2025
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/song-sparrows-we-are-back
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/great-horned-owl-i-spy-an-eye
April 2025
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/oak-bracket-what-do-you-see
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/european-starling-kaleidoscope
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/canada-geese-change-of-season
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/snowy-tunnel-trail-natures-calendar
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/turkey-feather-memories-flowing
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/eastern-grey-squirrel-rusty
https://neilbarker.substack.com/p/coopers-hawk-sentry-duty
*** Hello! Before you leave, did you find the hidden acrostic word in today's sijo? ***
Neil, this touches my heart deeply. Each piece of this series is so serene and beautiful. And when seen as a whole, it has a profound effect! The film you shared really helps illuminate the beauty and holiness of your prayerful practice. It's clear that walking in nature and composing sijo poems calls us to a path to greater wholeness and peace. I know this will be an inspiring offering to your readers, old and new.
Thank you for mentioning the Memory Exchange. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the abecedarian form for these poems. You absolutely nailed it. I did not know that you were doing it until nearly the end (Xanthic!) 🤭
O Great Light!
"Kumgang Mountain, its 12,000 peaks. She lights candles at all of them."
Photo collage, wows!
Sijos, succinct wonders-full*
Film, life wisdom, woes.