The haiku is a form of traditional Japanese poetry. It is perhaps one of the most rewarding styles of poetry to write because it is short and powerful.
Traditional Haiku Basics:
Five syllables for the first and last lines. 7 syllables for the line in the middle. This is a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
The haiku is about nature, usually reflecting the seasons and how they relate to more abstract aspects of a person’s life.
The lines are not rhymed.
It doesn’t use similes, so no “like” or “as.”
Most of the poem is based on vivid imagery.
Matsuo Basho is a renowned haiku poet who lived from 1644 to 1694. He is considered the greatest haiku poet. Because his haiku were written in Japanese, the syllables don’t always translate to 5-7-5, but the words are still beautiful. Here are a few of his haiku:
In the twilight rain
these brilliant-hued hibiscus -
A lovely sunset.
Grasses in summer.
The warriors’ dreams
All that left.
Spring is passing.
The birds cry, and the fishes fill
With tears on their eyes.
Ah, tranquility!
Penetrating the very rock,
A cicada’s voice.
While Basho’s work represents the traditional voice of the haiku, there are also several other forms of contemporary haiku.
Contemporary writers tend to stray from the 5-7-5 syllable count, focusing instead on intense imagery. Contemporary haiku are often somewhere between one and four short lines.
For examples of less traditional haiku, check out Acorn, a journal of contemporary haiku.
For more tips on how to write haiku, please check out our other post: 5 Tips To Writing Effective Haiku.
Now that you know all about the haiku, what are you waiting for? Write a haiku (or several) and submit your poetry to Celestial Blood Literary Magazine today!