Writing Haiku Poetry

Haiku poems reflect the Japanese belief that big ideas can be found in small matters or things- the bonsai, the rock garden, or a few blades of grass.  In a few perfectly chosen and arranged words, the “essence of life” is captured.  The language used in haiku is simple, used to capture a single emotion or moment, or to create a visual image of a scene in nature.  It is as though the writer is creating a “snapshot” of a moment in time that he or she wishes to capture.

Haiku poems consist of 3 lines.  The first line will include 5 syllables, the second 7 syllables, and the third, 5 syllables.  (A syllable is a unit of spoken language consisting of a single uninterrupted sound.)

Haiku poets use strong imagery and sensory impressions to write their poetry.  They use vivid word choice, and comparisons.  Often two very different images or things are related through the choice of words. 

Step 1 – Backgrounding Haiku

Read over samples of traditional and modern haiku below to get an idea of how haiku poems are written.

Samples of Traditional Haiku

Read samples of Basho’s haiku from the 1700’s Japan:

www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Island/5022/basho.html

Basho's Haiku

Samples of  Modern Haikus

Chopped off heads fly up,
bodies sliced to tiny bits;
die dandelions

                                       Paul Brown

Old man sits reading;
two dogs, alert and friendly,
do all the begging

                                      Paul Brown

a pair of pigeons
in a mist of spring rain
shoulder to shoulder

                                      Anton Gerits

Days are long and hot;
every day when I come home
the grass is longer.

                                     Paul Brown

Sign says "no parking";
it wasn't there yesterday;
my favorite spot

                                       Paul Brown

Sudden harsh honking,
ten geese skim in and settle;
fast moving water.

                                       Paul Brown

Yellow autumn leaves
rustle as I briskly walk
through deserted lanes.

                                      Paul Brown

I kill an ant
and realize my three children
have been watching.

                                     Shuson Kato

Step 2 – Writing your traditional haiku

To write your traditional haiku, go to the haiku planner chart.
 
1. Choose one aspect of the following geographic features to describe in your haiku: volcanoes, mountains, valley farmland, rice fields or the sea. 
2. Write your feature with its accompanying season and location at the top of the chart.
3. In the sensory impression part of the chart, vividly describe what you see, smell, feel, and hear as you imagine the scene before you.  Try to describe it as though you are actually there experiencing it. Remember your image should be like a “snapshot in time”.  It should capture the essence of one special moment.  Find an image of this geographic feature online to help you set the scene.  
4. In the comparison part of the chart, try to come up with a figurative comparison – a simile or metaphor.  Remember, a simile is a comparison using like or as to compare two things that are not alike, but have something in common.  For example, “The day was like a yellow daisy.”  Both are alike in that they are both bright and cheerful.  A metaphor is a direct comparison of two things that are not alike, but have something in common.  For example, “The day was a yellow daisy.” Metaphors are more powerful comparisons because the reader has to make the connection.  For more examples go to ask.com (Michelle please link)

5. Once you have completed the chart, write your poem as follows:
a) Your first line will consist of 5 syllables.  Include information from the top section of your chart: what your object is, where it is found, and the season.
Examples: 1) majestic rockies
                      2) rolling wheat prairie
                      3) cool spring coastal rain

b) Your second line will consist of 7 syllables.  Include information from either the description or comparison part of your chart.

Examples:  1) towering like rock giants
                      2) patch work of gold and yellow
                      3) icy cleansing mist of cloud

c) Your third line will consist of 5 syllables.  This line will represent the overall or dominant impression on your chart.

Examples:  1) overwhelming me
                      2) my grandmother’s quilt
                      3) a salty shower
Finished sample poems:

majestic rockies  
tower like granite giants
overwhelming me

rolling wheat prairie
patchwork of gold and yellow
my grandmother’s quilt               

cool spring coastal rain
icy cleansing mist of cloud
a salty shower

Step 3 – Writing Your Modern Haiku

In modern haiku, you may vary the syllable count of each of the three lines. Your poem should still be shorter in the first and third lines than it is in the second line. Remember to clearly reflect the values, beliefs and attitudes of the samurai in your writing.  Create your own version of a haiku planner chart that reflects a value, belief or attitude such as obedience. (See step 2 of assignment page for details on what to write)  Use this chart to help you organize your haiku writing.