Haiku is a Japanese verse that is written in three line stanzas. It is considered one of the more important forms of poetry in Japan. Traditionally haiku focused on nature, and many of the printed poems included sketches.
The first stanza of the haiku was known as hokku, which means "starting verse". The Japanese haiku contained multiple stanzas (remember, a stanza is like a paragraph). The hokku was used as the starting point of a single haiku written together by several poets. This type of collaboration was called renga. Keep in mind that when you begin creating your haiku I am going to expect you to create multiple stanzas, at least four. If you turn in only three lines or one stanza will consider it as your hokku, and I'm not accepting a starting verse. So if you turn in three lines I will only see this:
Also the haiku did not use rhyme. However, it was written using a rhythmic measure called a mora. However, this type of measurement is unique to the Japanese language, and it does not translate well into the English language. Fortunately for us syllables can be used in place of the mora.
Each haiku stanza has a 5, 7, 5 syllable pattern.
The first line has 5 syllables.
The second line has 7 syllables.
The third line has 5 syllables.
Let's look at a few haiku poems
| Haiku 101 |
I am Shading | Christian Haiku |
|
Paul F., 28 March 2013 |
http://www.haiku.com/ |
Tom DiFrancesca III |
|
Three poetry lines
The first two lines are
|
Dip in, slake parched Thirst, deeply drinking from moon's rain. Be nature's Shading.
I'm called - "Wash and pray. "Search keenly in space and time. "See your silent friend.
"Seek Understanding "Ask him what you need to know : " 'Why eyelids water?' "
Hiding 'neath my tree I spy the moon, and what I weep fulfils my heart.
|
God the creator
Immeasurable
Rain falls on us all
Reasons to praise Him
Blooming fragrances
Love unlimited |
As you read the poems above I hope you took time to also count the syllables in each stanza. There are a lot of poorly created haiku examples on the Internet that do not follow the 5, 7, 5 pattern rule. Try your best not to create a poorly patterned haiku.
Remember you can use the syllable counter http://www.poetrysoup.com/poetry_resources/syllable_counter.aspx
This video does a nice job explaining how to write a haiku.
Featured Haiku poet: Matsuo Basho http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/basho
Weekly Assignment (Due 9 February):
This week I want you to create a Haiku poem. It must contain at least four stanzas and each stanza will follow the 5, 7, 5 syllable pattern.
The first line contains 5 syllables.
The second line contains 7 syllables.
The third line contains 5 syllables.
Your poem must also stay on topic so it would be a good idea to also title your poem. Remember your poem doesn't have to make sense. It only needs to be creative.
