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How to Write a Haiku Poem
originated by:Ian Henry, Josh W., Ben Rubenstein, Zack (see all)
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The lasting haiku of Masaoka Shiki at Horyu-ji
A haiku is a non-rhymed verse genre.There are 5 syllables in the first sentence, 7 in the second and 5 again in the last sentence.
Steps1Understand the way haiku is made. Haiku in Japanese is written in a single vertical line with seventeen sound units or mora (not strictly the same as syllables) in a rhythm of five, seven, and five. In English (a stressed language), the ideas can be expressed with a short line, a long line, and another short line. Sometimes, haiku can turn out very bad and cheesy. Pick a good topic.
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2Choose a season. Many haiku seem to focus on nature, but what they are really focusing on is a seasonal reference (not all of which are necessarily about nature). Japanese poets use a "saijiki" or season word almanac to check the seasonal association for key words that they might use in a haiku (thus the haiku is a seasonal poem, and thus often about nature, but does not have to be about nature if the seasonal reference is about a human activity). The season is important for coming up with words to use in a haiku. Because the poem has so few words, simple phrases such as "cherry blossoms" or "falling leaves" can create lush scenes, yet still reflect the feeling of the verse. Moreover, season words also invoke other poems that use the same season word, making the poem part of a rich historical tapestry through allusive variation. In Japanese, the "kigo" or season word was generally understood; "autumn breeze" might be known to express loneliness and the coming of the dark winter season
Winter usually makes us think of burden, cold, sadness, hunger, tranquility or peace. Ideas about winter can be invited with words like "snow," "ice," "dead tree," "leafless," etc.
Summer brings about feelings of warmth, vibrancy, love, anger, and many others. General summer phrases include references to the sky, beaches, heat, and romance.
Autumn brings to mind a very wide range of ideas: decay, belief in the supernatural, jealousy, saying goodbye, loss, regret, and mystery to name a few. Falling leaves, shadows, and autumn colors are common implementations.
Spring, like summer, can make one think of love, but it is usually more a sense of infatuation. Also common are themes like innocence, youth, passion, and fickleness. Blossoms, new plants, or warm rains can imply spring. For more information on seasons, go to the link listed below.
Seasonal references can also include human activities, and Japanese saijikis contain many such listings. Be aware that some references to human activities, such as Christmas, are effective season words, but require a geographical limitation; while Christmas is a winter season word in the northern hemisphere, it's a summer reference in the southern hemisphere.
3Add a contrast or comparison. Reading most haiku, you'll notice they either present one idea for the first two lines and then switch quickly to something else or do the same with the first line and last two. A Japanese haiku achieves this shift with what is called a "kireji" or cutting word, which cuts the poem into two parts. In English, it is essential for nearly every haiku to have this two-part juxtapositional structure. The idea is to create a leap between the two parts, and to create an intuitive realization from what has been called an "internal comparison." These two parts sometimes create a contrast, sometime a comparison. Creating this two-part structure effectively can be the hardest part of writing a haiku, because it can be very difficult to avoid too obvious a connection between the two parts, yet also avoid too great a distance between them that becomes obscure and unclear. The haiku poet wants to come up with the perfect words to spark the emotions (not ideas) they wish to communicate. It doesn't have to be extremely severe; it can be anything from one color to another. In English, punctuation between the two lines can create that contrast, although this is not necessary provided that the grammar clearly indicates that a shift has occurred.
4Use primarily objective sensory description. Haiku are based on the five senses. They are about things you can experience, not your interpretation or analysis of those things. To do this effectively, it is good to rely on sensory description, and to use mostly objective rather than subjective words.
5Like any other art, haiku takes practice. Basho said that each haiku should be a thousand times on the tongue. It is also important to read good haiku, and not just translations from the Japanese but the best literary haiku being written in English. To learn haiku properly, it is important to take it beyond the superficial or even sometimes incorrect ways it has been taught in most grade schools. It is important to distinguish between pseudo-haiku that says whatever it wants in a 5-7-5 syllable pattern and literary haiku that adheres to the use of season words, a two-part juxtapositional structure, and primarily objective sensory imagery.
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Saturday, May 8, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday Poem::::: "I P L Confetti"
"I P L Confetti."::::::::::::: A Poem.
Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" Views: 38
Apr 26, 2010 8:20 am Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Manohar Bhatia "IPL Confetti"
IPL is a cricket game
for the common spectator
controlled by uncommon interests.
A $4.00 billion extravaganza
is a gentleman's game
where kickbacks, betting is the name.
IPL has an emotional quotient
where crowds cry,laugh,clap,
in sadness,happiness,victory.
IPL has a happiness factor
where corporate czars are pumping $
for players,officials,go-getters,others.
IPL has a sadness factor
for those where a last ball
turns victory into a defeat.
IPL has a glamour factor
for its doors open stunningly
with cheer girls,bollywood shows,
ending with night-sky fire-works display.
Now, there is real danger to IPL
mistrusts,allegations,skull-duggery
poses a challenge to this noble game
Because,all the horses,
all the King's men cannot put
magnificient IPL on its thrown again!
--The End--
copyright@ManoharBhatia
All rights reserved.
Private Reply to Manohar Bhatia Delete your post
Apr 26, 2010 8:49 am re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Diane Tegarden Dear Manohar,
thank you for informing us of the fate of this "game of kings", I hope it works out, for the sake of its fans.
In the last stanza, I think you meant "throne" (the seat of kings) not "thrown" (to pitch a ball).
Respectfully,
Diane T.
Energetically, Diane Tegarden
"Getting OUT of Limbo-A Self Help Divorce Book for Women";"Light Through
Shuttered Window- A Compendium of my Poetry";"Anti-Vigilante and The
Rips in Time"- available at www.firewalkerpublications.com and www.Amazon.com
Private Reply to Diane Tegarden
Apr 26, 2010 8:52 am re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Manohar Bhatia Di,
Thanks for your valuable comments.In the last stanza, there is typo error...it is "throne"(the seat of Kings).
Manohar Bhatia
Private Reply to Manohar Bhatia Delete your post
Apr 26, 2010 9:19 am re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Maya Mahant Manohar,
Your poem is so topical, all newspapers, television channels, headlining that and just that. With its scandal, puts a Bollywood movie in a shadow.
I would say,
Lalit Modi sat on a IPL Wall
Lalit Modi had a great fall
All Sharad Pawar's machinations
Couldn't put Lalit together again
Good one Manohar
Maya
Private Reply to Maya Mahant
Apr 26, 2010 11:31 pm re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Diane Stephenson Manohar:
Since I don't know anything about cricket I cannot understand the implications but can nonetheless enjoy your poem.
Diane
Private Reply to Diane Stephenson
Apr 26, 2010 11:36 pm re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Ayub Bangroo
Wonderful poem Manohar,
This IPL has brought shame to this game of cricket.Right from the start it has looked something other than cricket.How shamelessly they befool the world.
Cricket has suffered many jolts in the recent past and this IPL has been the latest insult.
Ayub
Private Reply to Ayub Bangroo
Apr 27, 2010 11:31 am re: re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Teresa Mahieu This did bring the nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty to mind. Not understanding the game or ramifications I still enjoy your poem greatly.
Tess
Private Reply to Teresa Mahieu
Apr 28, 2010 7:05 am re: re: re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Manohar Bhatia Hi Teresa,
Yes, I had the Humpty/Dumpty duo in my mind for the last stanza.Thanks maam for reading and enjoying the poem.
Manohar Bhatia
Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" Views: 38
Apr 26, 2010 8:20 am Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Manohar Bhatia "IPL Confetti"
IPL is a cricket game
for the common spectator
controlled by uncommon interests.
A $4.00 billion extravaganza
is a gentleman's game
where kickbacks, betting is the name.
IPL has an emotional quotient
where crowds cry,laugh,clap,
in sadness,happiness,victory.
IPL has a happiness factor
where corporate czars are pumping $
for players,officials,go-getters,others.
IPL has a sadness factor
for those where a last ball
turns victory into a defeat.
IPL has a glamour factor
for its doors open stunningly
with cheer girls,bollywood shows,
ending with night-sky fire-works display.
Now, there is real danger to IPL
mistrusts,allegations,skull-duggery
poses a challenge to this noble game
Because,all the horses,
all the King's men cannot put
magnificient IPL on its thrown again!
--The End--
copyright@ManoharBhatia
All rights reserved.
Private Reply to Manohar Bhatia Delete your post
Apr 26, 2010 8:49 am re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Diane Tegarden Dear Manohar,
thank you for informing us of the fate of this "game of kings", I hope it works out, for the sake of its fans.
In the last stanza, I think you meant "throne" (the seat of kings) not "thrown" (to pitch a ball).
Respectfully,
Diane T.
Energetically, Diane Tegarden
"Getting OUT of Limbo-A Self Help Divorce Book for Women";"Light Through
Shuttered Window- A Compendium of my Poetry";"Anti-Vigilante and The
Rips in Time"- available at www.firewalkerpublications.com and www.Amazon.com
Private Reply to Diane Tegarden
Apr 26, 2010 8:52 am re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Manohar Bhatia Di,
Thanks for your valuable comments.In the last stanza, there is typo error...it is "throne"(the seat of Kings).
Manohar Bhatia
Private Reply to Manohar Bhatia Delete your post
Apr 26, 2010 9:19 am re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Maya Mahant Manohar,
Your poem is so topical, all newspapers, television channels, headlining that and just that. With its scandal, puts a Bollywood movie in a shadow.
I would say,
Lalit Modi sat on a IPL Wall
Lalit Modi had a great fall
All Sharad Pawar's machinations
Couldn't put Lalit together again
Good one Manohar
Maya
Private Reply to Maya Mahant
Apr 26, 2010 11:31 pm re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Diane Stephenson Manohar:
Since I don't know anything about cricket I cannot understand the implications but can nonetheless enjoy your poem.
Diane
Private Reply to Diane Stephenson
Apr 26, 2010 11:36 pm re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Ayub Bangroo
Wonderful poem Manohar,
This IPL has brought shame to this game of cricket.Right from the start it has looked something other than cricket.How shamelessly they befool the world.
Cricket has suffered many jolts in the recent past and this IPL has been the latest insult.
Ayub
Private Reply to Ayub Bangroo
Apr 27, 2010 11:31 am re: re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Teresa Mahieu This did bring the nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty to mind. Not understanding the game or ramifications I still enjoy your poem greatly.
Tess
Private Reply to Teresa Mahieu
Apr 28, 2010 7:05 am re: re: re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::: " I P L Confetti" #
Manohar Bhatia Hi Teresa,
Yes, I had the Humpty/Dumpty duo in my mind for the last stanza.Thanks maam for reading and enjoying the poem.
Manohar Bhatia
Monday Poem:::::::::::::::: __________ "Change"________
__________"Change"________
Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" Views: 20
May 03, 2010 6:35 am Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Manohar Bhatia ________ "Change"_________
Change is the change
of identity on facebook,
where you are only on cookbook!
Change is the difference
of doing business in East than West
where crony capitalism is best!
Change is the currency
of notes,bills, coins,
where human capital also joins!
Change is the attitude
of people towards sexuality
where love can be a casuality!
Change is a human nature
for man & woman in relationship
where each struggles for partnership!
Change is the transformation
of parties in hues of politics
where power of money is game of ethics!
Change is the merging
a town of two border states
where upmanship was at stake!
Change is the struggle
for freedom from orthodoxy
where man is buried in methodology!
Change is a change of rule
from one nation to another
where greed and power gather!
Change is a shift
in climate from hot or cold
where Mother Nature acts bold!
Change is a plan
for IPL team for surprise win
where everyone will grin!
Change is a twist
of story in fiction novel
where readers would marvel!
Change is in the thinking
of person from poverty to affluence
where discomfort & comfort confluence!
Change is a change
from one change to another change
where only change is name of change!
---The End---
copyright@ManoharBhatia
All rights are reserved.
Manohar Bhatia
Private Reply to Manohar Bhatia Delete your post
May 03, 2010 8:36 am re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Diane Tegarden Manohar,
changes are sometimes good and sometimes unwelcome, but are all an integral part of life, as you have pointed out.
You have given us much to ponder,
Diane T.
Energetically, Diane Tegarden
"Getting OUT of Limbo-A Self Help Divorce Book for Women";"Light Through
Shuttered Window- A Compendium of my Poetry";"Anti-Vigilante and The
Rips in Time"- available at www.firewalkerpublications.com and www.Amazon.com
Private Reply to Diane Tegarden
May 03, 2010 12:51 pm re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Jack Huber This is a little different use of the word, "change," Manohar, but with good results.
Jack
Private Reply to Jack Huber
May 03, 2010 9:13 pm re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Diane Stephenson Manohar:
An innovative way to think about change.
Diane
Private Reply to Diane Stephenson
May 04, 2010 1:08 am re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Maya Mahant Manohar,
Change is Manohar personified.... yet it has your signature.
Maya
Private Reply to Maya Mahant
May 04, 2010 3:37 am re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Deb..... Always SMILING! Manohar,
I loved the way you used the theme change and explained it so poetically. :0)
Private Reply to Deb..... Always SMILING!
May 04, 2010 11:32 am re: re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Ayub Bangroo
Manohar,
Change is the only thing that does not change.
A poem written in your own typical style which is full of concern,ideas,realism,as always,asking the reader to look at the things from a different(changed)angle.
Ayub
Private Reply to Ayub Bangroo
May 05, 2010 12:43 am re: re: re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Manohar Bhatia Hi,
I want to thank each of.....Diane.T.,Jack, Diane.S., Maya, Deb, and Ayub for yor valuable comments.
Manohar Bhatia
Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" Views: 20
May 03, 2010 6:35 am Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Manohar Bhatia ________ "Change"_________
Change is the change
of identity on facebook,
where you are only on cookbook!
Change is the difference
of doing business in East than West
where crony capitalism is best!
Change is the currency
of notes,bills, coins,
where human capital also joins!
Change is the attitude
of people towards sexuality
where love can be a casuality!
Change is a human nature
for man & woman in relationship
where each struggles for partnership!
Change is the transformation
of parties in hues of politics
where power of money is game of ethics!
Change is the merging
a town of two border states
where upmanship was at stake!
Change is the struggle
for freedom from orthodoxy
where man is buried in methodology!
Change is a change of rule
from one nation to another
where greed and power gather!
Change is a shift
in climate from hot or cold
where Mother Nature acts bold!
Change is a plan
for IPL team for surprise win
where everyone will grin!
Change is a twist
of story in fiction novel
where readers would marvel!
Change is in the thinking
of person from poverty to affluence
where discomfort & comfort confluence!
Change is a change
from one change to another change
where only change is name of change!
---The End---
copyright@ManoharBhatia
All rights are reserved.
Manohar Bhatia
Private Reply to Manohar Bhatia Delete your post
May 03, 2010 8:36 am re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Diane Tegarden Manohar,
changes are sometimes good and sometimes unwelcome, but are all an integral part of life, as you have pointed out.
You have given us much to ponder,
Diane T.
Energetically, Diane Tegarden
"Getting OUT of Limbo-A Self Help Divorce Book for Women";"Light Through
Shuttered Window- A Compendium of my Poetry";"Anti-Vigilante and The
Rips in Time"- available at www.firewalkerpublications.com and www.Amazon.com
Private Reply to Diane Tegarden
May 03, 2010 12:51 pm re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Jack Huber This is a little different use of the word, "change," Manohar, but with good results.
Jack
Private Reply to Jack Huber
May 03, 2010 9:13 pm re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Diane Stephenson Manohar:
An innovative way to think about change.
Diane
Private Reply to Diane Stephenson
May 04, 2010 1:08 am re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Maya Mahant Manohar,
Change is Manohar personified.... yet it has your signature.
Maya
Private Reply to Maya Mahant
May 04, 2010 3:37 am re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Deb..... Always SMILING! Manohar,
I loved the way you used the theme change and explained it so poetically. :0)
Private Reply to Deb..... Always SMILING!
May 04, 2010 11:32 am re: re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Ayub Bangroo
Manohar,
Change is the only thing that does not change.
A poem written in your own typical style which is full of concern,ideas,realism,as always,asking the reader to look at the things from a different(changed)angle.
Ayub
Private Reply to Ayub Bangroo
May 05, 2010 12:43 am re: re: re: re: Monday Poem:::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Change" #
Manohar Bhatia Hi,
I want to thank each of.....Diane.T.,Jack, Diane.S., Maya, Deb, and Ayub for yor valuable comments.
Manohar Bhatia
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