6 readers get poetic in 'sijo' contest

Late Spring

I saw a man cut down the
spent red tulips at the gate

of the town cemetery and fill a
wheel barrow.

I felt sad. When I told my mom,
who is old now, she laughed.

-MEI32

McCann's critique: "Finally, here’s the one I pick as my favorite. I liked the flexible approach to the form. The second line, for example, plays a bit with the syllable count, though it keeps close to the 3 4 4 4 pattern. I especially like the way 'mom' has the last laugh."

Late Spring I saw a man cut down the spent red tulips at the gate of the town cemetery and fill a wheel barrow. I felt sad. When I told my mom, who is old now, she laughed. - MEI32 McCann's critique : 'Finally, here’s the one I pick as my favorite. I liked the flexible approach to the form. The second line, for example, plays a bit with the syllable count, though it keeps close to the 3 4 4 4 pattern. I especially like the way 'mom' has the last laugh.'
AP Photo/The Duluth News Tribune, Clint Austin