The Haiku is a small but mighty form of poetry that doesn’t get enough recognition. The Haiku originated in Japan around 1985 and is the combination of the Japanese words haikai (an informal type of linked verse) and Ku (stanza). It consists of thee verses, with the first verse having five syllables, the second verse having seven syllables, and the third verse having five syllables again.
However, seventeen syllables don’t leave much room for creative expression, and writing a convincing Haiku can be a challenge.
To get started, you need a topic. A Haiku often references the beauty of nature, so taking a walk or digging up some old vacation photos are great ways to find ideas. You can write about leaves blowing in the summer wind, cats chasing birds in the snow, or even a raindrop that refuses to leave the window. Nature is diverse and filled with endless possibilities, and you’ll be able to see those possibilities with practice.
Once you have your topic, grab a dictionary. You only have seventeen syllables to convey your meaning, so you have to choose your words very carefully. Having a dictionary on hand can help.
And finally, write! Different words convey different emotions, so try playing around with it until you find something you like. Also, a Haiku doesn’t have to rhyme, but it can be more fun/challenging if you try to make it rhyme in some way.
These tips will help you in your Haiku journey, and I look forward to seeing the poems you create! To get us started, here are a few that I’ve written and the photos that inspired them:
Post your versions in the comments below!
Erynn Crittenden 