Eileen Manassian Poet Sijo

Susok Setting Sorrow

The time has come to create
        the susok of our garden
Two pairs of hands to place the rocks
        by waterfall and bamboo shoots
Only one pair of hands now, 
        as I shift sand wet with tears.

For Debbie Guzzi's Walk Softy Contest
August 20, 2013


"In prehistoric times, Koreans believed that rocks had more power than water and other things in nature. Also, they believed that rocks engendered God's good-will.  Therefore, the arrangement of rocks is considered as one of the "essential" elements in designing the traditional Korean garden.  Susok or "rock arrangement," gardens are commonly found."

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Paul Callus May 4, 2014 at 4:08 AM Eileen....this is awesome (I am being more than honest...not just to your face!) Forgive me if I envy you this write, but I could never have written this gem myself! Top 7 rating and a fav for this one :) thank you for telling me about it; my heart throbs!!! (who said I'm being emotional?) // paul Eileen Manassian May 4, 2014 at 4:36 AM Oh, I hope it is a good throbbing! Some throbbing can be painful! :) Thanks, Paul. I need these words of praise...especially lately. You are very kind!!! Be emotional....It is a language I understand as I am overly emotional myself. Thank you for faving this. I'm touched.

Danesh Morgan September 8, 2013 at 9:30 PM Congrats on your win. Morgan Eileen Manassian September 9, 2013 at 12:00 AM Thanks, my dear. I appreciate the visit.

Olusegun Arowolo September 8, 2013 at 9:50 AM Well done,Eileen..Congrats on your superb win... Eileen Manassian September 8, 2013 at 11:43 AM Thanks ever so much for the visit. Very kind of you!

Shadow Hamilton September 8, 2013 at 5:37 AM an overture of sadness in this poem raises it high congrats on win Shadow x smile Eileen Manassian September 8, 2013 at 11:43 AM Thank you, Shadow. It was a real challenge for me. I'm so glad that Debbie inspired us with examples....She made me want to try. Happy you could pass by! :)

Skat A September 7, 2013 at 9:04 PM Congratulations Eileen, in Debbie's awesome contest....... SKAT Eileen Manassian September 8, 2013 at 11:44 AM Hi SKAT! Glad to see you on my page! :) I appreciate the words of congratulations..Also...so nice to see your avatar! :)

Sandra Adams September 7, 2013 at 7:49 PM what a gem you have crafted here! Congrats on your win with this beautiful poem :) Eileen Manassian September 8, 2013 at 11:45 AM Sandra, glad to make your acquaintance. Thank you for your kind words! :)

Carrie Richards September 7, 2013 at 6:39 PM One says ahhhhh!! with pure delight while reading this sijo !! Congratulations, Eileen!! Eileen Manassian September 8, 2013 at 11:46 AM Carrie, an honor to have this compliment from you! Thank you. you have brought me joy!

Debbie Guzzi September 7, 2013 at 5:55 PM I hope your friends liked this, I certainly did! Congrad's on your win. Light & Love Eileen Manassian September 8, 2013 at 11:46 AM Light and Love...thanks ever so much, Debbie. Thank you for helping me to learn and appreciate the beauty of this form! Hugs!

Nette Onclaud September 7, 2013 at 1:42 PM special congrats on your win, eileen... so beautiful!..:) Eileen Manassian September 7, 2013 at 4:23 PM :) Thanks, sweetie! I'm so touched that you stopped by!

Dr.Ram Mehta September 7, 2013 at 5:38 AM Congrats on the win Eileen Manassian September 7, 2013 at 4:23 PM Thanks, Dr Ram! :)

Poet Destroyer A September 7, 2013 at 4:56 AM hi Sweet Eileen, a super pretty and gentle win...luv..linda Eileen Manassian September 7, 2013 at 4:25 PM Thank you, my sweet PD! You are very gracious! :) HUGS!

Andrea Dietrich September 6, 2013 at 10:58 PM oh my gosh, this is so powerful and such good writing, Eileen. So far I am loving the poems in Deb's winner list. She chose very well her top spots! congratulations to you. Eileen Manassian September 7, 2013 at 4:24 PM Thanks, dear Andrea...It was a pleasure to join Debbie's contest. She gave us all such motivation with the Sijo she posted! Yes, she is a tough sponsor, and I'm truly honored with my placement! Thanks for stopping by and leaving such kind words!

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl September 6, 2013 at 7:28 PM Congratulations Eileen love xx Eileen Manassian September 7, 2013 at 4:26 PM Thanks, Mandy! XOXO right back at ya!

Sara Kendrick September 6, 2013 at 2:54 PM Congrats on your winning informative work..Sara Eileen Manassian September 7, 2013 at 4:27 PM Thanks, dear Sara....Hugs!

Harry Horsman August 23, 2013 at 10:21 AM wow i'm learning so much reading this, Eileen Manassian September 7, 2013 at 4:19 PM :) I learned a lot before I could write this... :) Thanks for visiting, Harry! I miss you when you don't come round!

Eileen Manassian August 22, 2013 at 7:52 AM Here is the response of my Korean friend, Chanmin Chung, when I posted this poem, along with Chris' evaluation on Facebook: I read now!! It's amazing!!! I've never imagined that one of my foreign friends writes Sijo..unbelievable. Thanks a lot!!! O...We are proud of you!! You are better than me!! O...we should prepare honorary Korean citizenship for you :)

Anne-Lise Andresen August 21, 2013 at 4:27 AM - A little sad thoughts here Eileen .... but still beautiful. - Well done! - Wishing you good luck in the contest! - Have a nice day. - oxox / / Anne-Lise :) Eileen Manassian August 21, 2013 at 7:31 AM Thank you, Annie Lise....Life IS sometimes sad. I don't know how this come to me, but I loved the challenge of writing this. I checked out some things on the internet about Korea...It was delightful! HUGS!

Karen Anglesey August 20, 2013 at 6:46 PM Serenity ! The Asian gardens with rocks, water fountains and beautiful little bamboo plants are my most favorite things, just like this lovely poem :) Eileen Manassian August 21, 2013 at 7:32 AM Karen.....I am very moved by your words of commendation. I do thank you from the bottom of my heart! HUGS! Karen Anglesey August 20, 2013 at 6:47 PM I also felt the loss in the end. Just a superb piece of poetry

Richard Lamoureux August 20, 2013 at 4:34 PM I learned something new today teach! Good luck in the contest. Sitting on a beach in peachland enjoying the sun and water. Eileen Manassian August 21, 2013 at 7:34 AM A pleasure to "teach" you, Richard....Come again! I'm glad you had a day in the sun!!! Lucky you! Will be going to CYPRUS soon...beach, sun, frappechinos, and halloumi for me! I can't wait! I CAN'T WAIT!!!! Cyprus is the Island of Aphrodite...beautiful in every way!!!!

Charmaine Chircop August 20, 2013 at 1:48 PM ouch..the absence of someone there that now is gone.Sad and beautiful especially your last line. Eileen Manassian August 21, 2013 at 7:37 AM Oh Charmaine, yes....I went through the death of my mother after a LONG and prolonged illness. Sometimes, at night....I hear my husband breathing and I pray that God will give him long life...my daughter...my loved ones. I'm not ready to face any such thing again. God knows....He is merciful. Thanks for the visit....HUGS

Poet Tacito August 20, 2013 at 10:57 AM So powerful, yet sad. Incredibly done. Eileen Manassian August 21, 2013 at 7:37 AM Thanks, my dear. This is what life is all about...beginnings and endings.....

Ilene Bauer August 20, 2013 at 9:49 AM this is lovely and very touching... Eileen Manassian August 20, 2013 at 9:50 AM Thanks, my sweet Ilene! :)

Cecilia Macfarlane August 20, 2013 at 8:29 AM Eileen....a beautiful and melancholy write. Best of luck n the contest. Hugs Eileen Manassian August 20, 2013 at 8:32 AM Thanks, sweetie! It's a tough challenge....I need a good dose of luck! Still...whatever happens, I'm trying my wings! :) Thanks for stopping by!