Haiku
Although normally understood to be a three-line, seventeen-syllable poem, with a 5-7-5 syllable/line pattern, actual haikus are not necessarily structured like that. The main features of a haiku are the focus on capturing a single moment or action, use of simple, uncomplicated words and grammar, and the avoidance of poetic devices such as metaphor and simile.
The form of a haiku is generally three short lines, with the first and third roughly the same length, and the second longer than the others.
Edit (8-27-05 9:52am): As per Nia's advice, I'm adding a few more requirements to the definition of haiku. I'll post a proper one later- it's still early for me. I apologize for the lack of accuracy.
Other features include the use of a word (or words) to imply the time of year- this is not required, but is very frequent, as evident by all the haikus about cherry blossoms. Also, and this is where my former haiku failed, haikus avoid run-on sentences (using each line to add to the moment being expressed) and there must be at least one pause (or full stop).
As stated earlier, I'll post a proper haiku later. Thank you, Nia, for your corrections.
Although normally understood to be a three-line, seventeen-syllable poem, with a 5-7-5 syllable/line pattern, actual haikus are not necessarily structured like that. The main features of a haiku are the focus on capturing a single moment or action, use of simple, uncomplicated words and grammar, and the avoidance of poetic devices such as metaphor and simile.
The form of a haiku is generally three short lines, with the first and third roughly the same length, and the second longer than the others.
Edit (8-27-05 9:52am): As per Nia's advice, I'm adding a few more requirements to the definition of haiku. I'll post a proper one later- it's still early for me. I apologize for the lack of accuracy.
Other features include the use of a word (or words) to imply the time of year- this is not required, but is very frequent, as evident by all the haikus about cherry blossoms. Also, and this is where my former haiku failed, haikus avoid run-on sentences (using each line to add to the moment being expressed) and there must be at least one pause (or full stop).
As stated earlier, I'll post a proper haiku later. Thank you, Nia, for your corrections.
posted by Laurie @ 12:53 PM
2 Comments:
You forgot two more features: the inclusion of a word that tells you the time of the year (snow for winter, for example) is very frequent but optional. The avoidance whenever possible of run-on lines, and the absolute need that there is at least one complete pause (a full stop, for example) isn't optional. Excuse the bluntness: a seventeen-syllable sentence divided in three chunks is not a haiku.
Except for that detail, I looove the website, and the rest of the poetry is brilliant!
I'd forgotten about the seasonal tip, thank you. As for the other rules, suffice to say that my main source was not necessarily the most accurate, and I will change my definition to reflect your corrections. Thank you!
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