The Japanese SEDOKA is a 6-line poem made up of two verses of 5-7-7 syllables (katuata) with a turn or pivot of thought between. The pivot of thought may address the same subject, just from a differing perspective.

There is no set rhyme scheme for the sedoka.



Example by Unknown Author:

Letters Left Behind

I meant to write you
this note saying I must leave
you for the woman I love
there are no words. . .
I kept the note
to explain the emptiness

“When you return home
from market remember to
feed the goldfish—love. . .”
. . . . . . . .I left behind
a sticky note
on the cupboard door.

In the day’s noon mail
the scent of lavender
my name in fine bold letters.
For ten days unread
inside your words proclaim hurt
because I love another.

Outside the white house
two police cars, lights flashing,
four uniformed officers—
I saw you in court today,
all right seized, no one—
some one gleans a profit.

Oh love, hurt and blind
close your eyes and dumbly race
into the empty sunset.
Never look behind
to see what might have been—
soar swiftly into dawn—