Haiku

HAIKU is a form of Japanese poetry, consisting of 17 morae (or on), in three metrical phrases of 5, 7 and 5 morae respectively. Haiku typically contain a kigo, or seasonal reference, and a kireji or verbal caesura. In Japanese, haiku are traditionally printed in a single vertical line, while haiku in English usually appear in three lines, to parallel the three metrical phrases of Japanese haiku. Previously called hokku, haiku was given its current name by the Japanese writer Masaoka Shiki at the end of the 19th century.

Most Japanese poems are beautiful and follow all of the restrictions of syllabls, yet when translated into English, the poem loses its flow. America has adapted Haiku's as a mainstream form of poetry.


This haiku doesn't follow structure, becasue in the 16th centure master Matsuo Basho wrote it in Japanese, and its translation into english is not perfect:

An old pond!
A frog jumps in--
the sound of water.

The poem emulates what a haiku typically trys to convey. Most poems are in present tense and use imagery, as well as try to establish a sense of order and peace. The simplistic Japanese style is easygoing, and often a good way to introduce poetry. Its strict structure and short ideas allow readers t ostay interested and leave the poem wiht meaning attached to it.