by Stan Grimes

Created on: June 29, 2008   Last Updated: July 06, 2008

Interested in Haiku? Think you've got the stamina for it? Haiku finds its genesis in late nineteenth century Japan. The haiku style is derived from hokku. Hokku translated means "starting verse." It would take much more space and available time than I currently have to explain the various terms related to Haiku poetry. Suffice it to say Haiku poetry has a set pattern for sounds, which we have modernized by a set or pattern of syllables. That pattern is generally 5-7-5. In other words, the first verse contains 5 syllables, second verse - 7 syllables, and third verse 5 syllables again. An authentic haiku poem should not deviate from this pattern. I should say that authentic English language haiku should not deviate from this pattern. The Japanese version of haiku involves a similar pattern, but their linguistic patterns are slightly different from English patterns. Also, an absolute must in haiku is the insertion within the three lines is a seasonal word, referred to by the Japanese poets as "kigo." Also, there should be the use of a "caesura" or a punctuation mark to implicitly contrast and compare two events, images or situations (Wikapedia). This punctuation should be on the first or second lines. Let's look at some examples:

The first soft snow!
Enough to bend the leaves
Of the jonquil low.
Japanese poet Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694) wrote this particular piece. Notice the use of punctuation after the first line and the use of a seasonal word, "snow." You may also notice in translation this original piece does not have the modified English 5-7-5 pattern. Remember, however, it is a translation. Now let's look at an English language piece:
Bursting in bright hues
Splashing colors all about
Autumn leaves must fall (Author unknown)
Note the 5-7-5 syllable pattern follows the modified English haiku style; however, it does not the characteristic punctuation on line or two. It does, however, have the seasonal "kigo."
I have read a number of modern Haiku poems, which stray far away from 5-7-5 rule (quasi-rule). However, as in any writing almost anything works if done tastefully. If you are interested in writing haiku, read loads of haiku poetry and make your own style. Sound simple? It's not. Writing haiku is a challenge. Writing good haiku is an art. In fact, seventeen syllables can be a masterpiece. Maturo Basho wrote many masterpieces. Aim high.

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