What is Poetry? Haiku

HAIKU – WHAT IS IT ?

first of all … what it is not -

Haiku is NOT 17 syllables in 5-7-5 format
it does not have a title – the first line of an haiku is the title
it does not contain punctuation apart from a pause or ceasura
it does not contain poetic device (this is not a hard and fast rule – we will tackle this later)
it is too short a form to carry any padding whatsoever.
Haiku is not a list poem
it is not about ‘I’

WHAT IS HAIKU ?

Haiku is a maximum of 17 syllables, generally presented in short/long/short format over three lines
its a wonderful way of looking at the world and once you begin, you actually begin to ’see’ your world.
Haiku provides a way to your own truths, giving them substance by writing down, each day,  what you see, think, feel, touch, smell.  Once you start on this journey you find yourself listening to your own breathing and if you write from a truth without hesitation you will find your poems keep you centered and within the smallest moment that is magnified into a whole truth within this small poetry form.

And truths, often, speak to others.

SENRYU is a form of haiku … Haiku speaks of nature and Senryu of human nature.
Some publications and well renowned poets separate the two genres, others see them both as one and the same.  I don’t distinguish between them … for me, if it is obviously human nature then it is naturally Senryu and if it is obviously nature then it is Haiku.  The rules and everything else about both forms is the same.

Although it CAN be written as a 17 syllable format in the 5-7-5 this is not a requirement, because you will find (when you begin reading) that Haiku that sticks to the rigid 5-7-5 is mostly padded out to achieve the syllable count. Every word within haiku counts so make it work.  The maximum syllable count is 17 but my advice would be not to count syllables.  Write the poem and in the editing process you will find it finds its own syllable count and if you remain within the haiku guidelines this count will be under the maximum.

You will also find that some of the shortest haiku give the maximum imagery utilising the senses showing how such a short from can provide a whole story in just three lines, 6 words and 8 syllables as an example -

~

bike trail –
a dog walker
running

~~~
 (published)    Moonset November 2007

Both Haiku and Tanka, beautiful short concise forms that can be kept in the mind all day long are poetry for today and our fast-paced lifestyles.  They are accessible observations of everyday life and when well written can become a profound, timeless moment – the essence of us.

© GINA 2009