Writing Tips in a Nutshell: How to Write Haiku

Haiku is a short form of poetry, traditionally taken from the natural world, that consists of 17 sound units ( in Japanese) or syllables (in English), written in 3 phrases of 5, 7, 5 respectively.

In Japan, the poems are written all in one line. In English, each phrase is given its own line.

The poem should engage the 5 senses: things that are seen, heard, touched, tasted, smelled rather than create an intuitive impression.

Terms

Kireji: A cutting word that portrays a contrast of a comparison and is traditionally placed in the third (last) line.

Kigo: Seasonal word, is used more in the Japanese form than in the English.

Saijiki: Seasonal word almanac, used to find kigo to use in haiku.

Hokku: The original name for the poetic form.

Matsuo Basho (1644–1694): Famous haiku poet.

Examples of haiku: (Matsuo Basho)

A caterpillar

this deep in fall--

still not a butterfly

Bitter tasting ice

just enough to wet the throat

of a sewer rat.

Spring rain

leaking through the roof

dripping from the wasps' nest

Enjoy!

References:

How to Write a Haiku Poem: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Haiku-Poem

Haiku: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku

Haiku Society: http://www.haikusociety.com/learn/kireji-and-kigo

Matsuo Basho: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsuo_Bash%C5%8D

Poem Hunter/Matsuo Basho: http://www.poemhunter.com/matsuo-basho/poems/

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