HaikuPoems

What are Haiku Poems

Haiku is a poetic form and a type of poetry from the Japanese culture. Haiku combines form, content, and language in a meaningful, yet compact form. Haiku poets, write about everyday things. Many themes include nature, feelings, or experiences. Usually they use simple words and grammar. The most common form for Haiku is three short lines. The first line usually contains five (5) syllables, the second line seven (7) syllables, and the third line contains five (5) syllables. Haiku doesn't rhyme. A Haiku must "paint" a mental image in the reader's mind. This is the challenge of Haiku - to put the poem's meaning and imagery in the reader's mind in ONLY 17 syllables over just three (3) lines of poetry!

http://volweb.utk.edu/school/bedford/harrisms/haiku.htm

Example #1

Haiku by Jack KerouacThe low yellowmoon above theQuiet lamplit house

Example #2Japan by Billy CollinsToday I pass the time readinga favorite haiku,saying the few words over and over.

It feels like eatingthe same small, perfect grapeagain and again.

I walk through the house reciting itand leave its letters fallingthrough the air of every room.

I stand by the big silence of the piano and say it.I say it in front of a painting of the sea.I tap out its rhythm on an empty shelf.

I listen to myself saying it,then I say it without listening,then I hear it without saying it.

And when the dog looks up at me,I kneel down on the floorand whisper it into each of his long white ears.

It's the one about the one-ton temple bellwith the moth sleeping on its surface,

and every time I say it, I feel the excruciatingpressure of the mothon the surface of the iron bell.

When I say it at the window,the bell is the worldand I am the moth resting there.

When I say it at the mirror,I am the heavy belland the moth is life with its papery wings.

And later, when I say it to you in the dark,you are the bell,and I am the tongue of the bell, ringing you,

and the moth has flownfrom its line

My Example

Haiku by Mr. Christie

This class is very funWriting Haiku’s are easyDo you like Haiku’s?

Your Turn

Get together with your neighbor and write an original Haiku.

You choose the subject!!!