Haiku Very short Japanese poems Dictionary Definition Poem

Haiku Very short Japanese poems

Dictionary Definition: Poem: A verbal composition designed to convey experiences, ideas, or emotions, characterized by the use of condensed language chosen for its sound and suggestive powers and by use of the literary techniques such as meter, metaphor, and rhyme

History of the Haiku n n n Originated around the 16 th Century in Japan Most popular form of Japanese poetry Made popular by poets such as n n n Matsu Basho Kobayashi Issa Masaoka Shiki

Haiku Details n Each poem has three lines, each with a specific syllable: n n 1 st line: 5 syllables 2 nd line: 7 syllables 3 rd line: 5 syllables Contains a break in which divides the poem in two; this is usually done after the 1 st or 2 nd line and is indicated with a colon (: ), a dash (-), or ellipsis (…)

Haiku Content n n Traditionally about nature and the seasons (season key word) Should be simple but deep Should be like a photo of nature that moves the author and reveals some insight Written in the present tense

Avoid the Common Observation Common The leaves are changing Red and brown, yellow, and orange – Winter is coming. Uncommon With the scent of rain Oh, how the colors embrace – Petals kiss the sky.

Examples (5 -7 -5 Syllables) Every single star Is quivering now with light… Oh, how bitter cold. (Break) (Season words) ~Taigi

A haiku for this year: Embrace this ocean, Mystical and powerful, Surging to success!

Create your own haiku: Em/brace/ this/ o/cean, 1 2 3 4 5 Mys/ti/cal/ and/ pow/er/ful, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Surg/ing/ to/ suc/cess! 1 2 3 4 5 Focus on an intense emotion or image: THINK!!! Choose vivid words. Structure syllables per line 5 -7 -5. Capitalize the first letter of each line. §Do NOT rhyme! Punctuate! Spell correctly!

Examples After the shower… Spring-enchanted sparrow-folk Chatter in the leaves. ~Uko

Examples (these are translations) The winter dawn, though dim, Is welcomed by the warming bird – It means fresh life to him. ~Senseki

Examples (these are translations) With every gust of wind, The butterfly changes its place On the willow ~Basho Yeah, you try and find a picture of both a butterfly and a willow tree.

A Non-Nature Haiku Ghosts play on children’s Swings, moving them silently In the cold moonlight. ~Linda Welsh

You too can Haiku (aka your assignment) For tomorrow: 3 Haiku n n One for a season One for an animal One that has nothing to do with nature Handwritten