Writers tutorial entry, How to write haiku

HAIKU AND HOW WE WRITE IT. (PART ONE)
Compiled By: MOSES S. ROTIMI
(1) Know the sound structure of Haiku.
Japanese Haiku traditionally consist of 17 on, or
sounds, divided into three phrases: 5 sounds, 7
sounds, and 5 sounds. English poets interpreted
on as syllables. Haiku poetry has evolved over
time, and most poets no longer adhere to this
structure, in either Japanese or English; modern
Haiku may have more than 17 sounds or as few
as one.
When you're deciding how many sounds or
syllables to use in your Haiku, refer to the
Japanese idea that the Haiku should be able to
be expressed in one breath. In English, that
usually means the poem will be 10 to 14
syllables long.
(2) Use Haiku to juxtapose two ideas.
The Japanese word kiru, which means "cutting,"
expresses the notion that Haiku should always
contain two juxtaposed ideas. The two parts are
grammatically independent, and they are usually
imagistically distinct as well.
• Japanese haiku are commonly written on one
straight line, with juxtaposed ideas separated by
a kireji, or cutting word, that helps define the
ideas in relation to each other. The kireji usually
appears at the end of one of the sound phrases.
There is no direct English translation of the kireji,
so it is often translated as a dash. Note the two
separate ideas in this Japanese haiku by Bashō:
“how cool the feeling of a wall against the feet —
siesta”.
• English haiku are most often written as three
lines. The juxtaposed ideas (of which there
should only be two) are "cut" by a line break,
punctuation, or simply a space. This poem is by
American poet Lee Gurga:
fresh scent—
the labrador's muzzle
deeper into snow
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
(3) Distill a poignant experience. Haiku is
traditionally focused on details of one's
environment that relate to the human condition.
• Japanese poets traditionally used haiku to
capture and distill a fleeting natural image, such
as a frog jumping into a pond, rain falling onto
leaves, or a flower bending in the wind. Many
people go for walks just to find new inspiration
for their poetry, known in Japan as ginkgo walks.
• Contemporary haiku may stray from nature as a
subject. Urban environments, emotions,
relationships and even humorous topics may be
haiku subjects.
(4) Include a seasonal reference.
A reference to the season or changing of the
seasons, referred to in Japanese as kigo, is an
essential element of haiku. The reference may be
obvious, as in using a word like "spring" or
"autumn" to indicate the season, or it might be
subtler. Example: poem by Fukuda Chiyo-ni:
morning glory!
the well bucket-entangled,
I ask for water
(5) Create a subject shift.
In keeping with the idea that haiku should
contain two juxtaposed ideas, shift the
perspective on your chosen subject so that your
poem has two parts. For example, you could
focus on the detail of an ant crawling on a log,
then juxtapose that image with an expansive
view of the whole forest, or the season the ant is
currently inhabiting. The juxtaposition gives the
poem a deeper metaphorical meaning than it
would have if it were a simple, single-planed
description.
Sample Nature Haiku
• An afternoon breeze
expels cold air, along with
the fallen brown leaves.
• Cherry blossoms bloom,
softly falling from the tree,
explode into night.
• The warmth on my skin.
Fire falls beneath the trees.
I see the sun set.
• Summer here again.
Music plays sweetly, drifting.
And life is renewed.
• A winter blanket
covers the Earth in repose
but only a dream
• An ocean voyage.
As waves break over the bow,
the sea welcomes me.
Compiled by: MOSES S. ROTIMI