There is a Haiku revolution unfolding, and it breaks the chains of the traditional 17-syllable structure (5-7-5) for English Haiku and the traditional syllabic structure for Japanese language Haiku. In modern Haiku, the relaxed rules are more simply that it is a three-line micro-poem. I’d still keep it under 10 syllables per line.
Traditional Japanese Haiku is based on the Japanese language structure, so it isn’t even 17 English syllables. In English, the closest translation for the form is our 17-syllable structure following the rule of: three lines, broken into 5-7-5 syllables each.
Modern rules crack the form open and spread it wide for all to enjoy and practice. It should still be poetic in that it should be an observation (traditionally nature, but now open to all topics) with some sort of contrast or depth to stir the reader. That depth and observation are purely subjective. If you feel stirred writing it, then more power to you. Crack on.
I still tend to count syllables and I have trouble allowing myself to embrace modern loosening of the rules, but since April is poetry month (and it is almost over!), now is as good a time as any.
Here are my Haiku for today:
1.
I am observed through the window
Though I thought I was the observer
A bird hops, stares from lush spring branches
2.
Eyes look for help, healing from the sky
Skin feels a breeze, caress
Heart aches, a hollow persistent thrum
3.
Spring calls renew, refresh, awake
Birds sing mate, build, nest
Winter chill still clings like a gill net
As Poetry month draws to a close, give Haiku a try. A good place to learn about traditional Haiku is in Seeds from a Birch Tree by Clark Strand. A good place to get a daily taste of all that is modern and traditional Haiku is at Haikuniverse.com (you can even sign up to get a daily Haiku email).
Share your Haiku in the comment section…