"Korean shijo are short song lyrics. Originally meant to be sung and heard rather than read and contemplated, these short poems are light, personal, very often conversational. The language is simple, direct, and devoid of elaboration or ornamentation. The shijo poet gives a first-hand account of his personal experience of life and emotion: the rise and fall of dynasties, friendship, love, parting, the pleasures of wine, the beauty and transience of life, the inexorable advance of old age. Wit is integral to shijo. Indeed, it is the fusion of image and idea through wit, most often an ironical wit, that gives shijo its unique flavor." "In this anthology of 611 shijo in English translation, Kevin O'Rourke introduces the English reader to this venerable verse form. The anthology covers the entire range of shijo production, from the tenth century to the modern era."--BOOK JACKET.