Writing a Haiku

1. Writing a Haiku A haiku is a three-line poem consisting of 17 syllables: five in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. Haiku is subtle and simple, conveying scenes and moods with great sensitivity. A haiku often includes a reference to nature or to a particular event. The essence of haiku is not descriptive; instead, it presents the reader with a series of images which, when connected with the reader’s imagination, yield a wealth of associations, visions, and emotions. Most haiku is written in the present tense.

2. Haiku, is the shortest form of poetry developed in Japan, emerged in the late seventeenth century. Haiku is still popular today that dozens of magazines are entirely devoted to this poetry, and newspapers carry daily haiku columns. Most educated Japanese can easily write a haiku, but it is the most talented poets that can write poems of professional excellence.

3. On the wide seashoreA stray blossom and the shellsMake on drifting sand.-Basho (A.D. 1644-1694)

4. The fields and mountainshave all been taken by snowand nothing remains.-Joso (A.D. 1661-1704)

5. The full autumn mooncast upon the straw mat floorshadow of the pines.-Kikaku (A.D. 1660-1707)

6. Pretend you are a Japanese poet viewing this scene. Complete the four points below recording as many details as you can. • What I see: • What I smell: • What I hear: • What I feel: