Haikus
· A haiku is an unrhymed three-line poem. It is based on a traditional Japanese poetic form. Though there are different ways to write haiku, the traditional pattern in English is to write the first and last lines with five syllables each, and the middle line with seven syllables. In other words, the pattern of syllableslooks like this:
Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables
· Here’s another way to visualize the same thing:
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 2 3 4 5
· It traditionally contains a word season (“kigo”) representative of the season in which the poem is set, or a reference to the natural world. Example:
Field and mountains,
All taken by the snow,
Nothing remains.
[written by Joso and translated by R.H. Blyth]
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Most often, haiku poems are about seasons or nature, though you can write your own haiku about anything you like. If you don’t want to write about nature, andwould prefer to write haiku about candy or sports, that is perfectly okay.
One more thing to keep in mind is that the last line of a haiku usually makes an observation. That is, the third line points out something about the subject youare writing about.
Let’s see how we can put these few rules together get your started writing your own haiku poems.
HAIKUs ABOUT SEASONS
Let’s say that you decide to write your haiku about a season. First you will wantto select a season: spring, summer, fall, or winter. I’ve decided to write a haiku about winter, and I know that in the last line I will want to make an observation. Iwant to say that winter is almost here, but we aren’t quite ready for the snow. Maybe it’s that we haven’t raked the leaves off the front
lawn
and we need to doit soon before it snows.
I want to say all of this, but I want to do it in a pattern of 5, 7, 5. So I might saysomething like this:
Winter is coming.
Snow will be arriving soon.
We should rake the leaves.
If you count the syllables on your fingers as you read this poem, you will seethat the lines have five syllables, seven syllables, and five syllables, just as theyshould.
If you decide to write a haiku about nature, you will have many more subjects to choose from. You could write about animals, plants, the sky, the ocean, streams, the wind, and so on. Start by selecting a topic, and then decide what you want to say; what observation you want to make about it.
HAIKUs ABOUT NATURE
For example, I have decided to write a haiku about my cat. One thing I noticeabout my cat is that he sleeps a lot. In fact, I’m pretty sure he sleeps almost all night and all day. I’m not sure how he can be so tired. In any case, here is my haiku:
Tired cat sleeps all night.
He needs lots of rest for a
Long day of napping.
FUNNY HAIKUs
Just because most haiku poems are about seasons or nature doesn’t mean that’sall they can be about. If you want, you can even write funny haiku poems. One way to make a haiku funny is to have an unexpected last line. For example, if the last line says the opposite of what the reader expects, it becomes like the punchline of a joke. It also helps to write about a funny subject.
As an example, I decided it would be funny to write a haiku excuse for why I can’t turn in my homework. Here it is:
My homework is late.
My dog ate it this morning.
I sure like my dog.
Notice that this ending is unexpected. Most readers would expect the poem to end with something like “can I turn it in tomorrow?” or “I’m mad at dog” or something like that. By saying “I sure like my dog,” I am telling the reader something they don’t expect, which will hopefully make them smile.
GETTING STARTED: WRITING a HAIKU
To begin writing haiku poems, just follow these steps:
1. Select a type of haiku.
Decide if you are going to write a seasonal, nature, or other type of haiku.
2. Pick a topic.
Select one specific season, item in nature, or something else you are going to write about.
3. Think about what is different about your last line.
What observation do you want to make?
4. Start writing.
5. Don’t forget to count the syllables as you read to make sure you’ve got the right pattern.
6. Finally, “center” your poem on the page like the poems in this lesson.
When you are all done writing your first haiku, see if you can write another one.
And, most importantly, have fun!
Let's have some practice:
Lucas Santo Domingo Amutio's haiku (Year 1E):
Students look like slaves.
They are working night and day.
I think they should rest.
María's haiku:
Love, friendship matter.
Feelings make the world go round.
My heart bears no grudge.
José-Luis Orrite Carrasco's haiku:
Life is far too short
To be crying every day
Smile, your life lasts long.
