Understanding Haiku
*Haiku poems date from 9th century Japan to the present day. Haiku is more than a type of poem; it is a way of looking at the physical world and seeing something deeper, like the very nature of existence. They attempt to describe the world objectively, and not the emotions the world evokes in us.

They consist of 3 verses which ideally can be said in one breath. In English, the first verse is 5 syllables long, the second, 7 slyllables and the third, 5 syllables. Usually, two distinct and "majestic" ideas are to be blended together to make a haiku and effort has to to be made to ensure that the link btween the ideas is not too obvious, or the difference between the ideas too much.

Examples follow


Ongoing Comeptition, visit: http://riaus.org.au/sci-ku/?utm_source=provided%20link%2023&utm_medium=twitter%20to%20sci-ku&utm_campaign=Sci-ku

Example

Basho Matsuo

An old silent pond...

A frog jumps into the pond,

splash! Silence again.

Yosa Buson

A summer river being crossed

how pleasing

with sandals in my hands!

Kobayaski Issa

O snail

Climb Mount Fuji,

But slowly, slowly!

My attempt at Nigerian themed Haiku

Nigerian Sunday

Head gear shapely bright,
Mirror in hand, hurried steps
Songs on Sunday Mass!

example.

I can't make a head or tail out of this o... for real

naeto2: I can't make a head or tail out of this o... for real

Is that better? just realised it should be in the poem section *sighs*

LIFE

just a place to play
play to quarrel
quarrel to play

LIFE AND DEATH
Closely interwoven like thread
i wish to live
all i see around me is death!!!








op am i trying?

marioking: LIFE AND DEATH
Closely interwoven like thread
i wish to live
all i see around me is death!!!








op am i trying?

hmmm..you've deviated from the 5 7 5 syllable structure although this is not a rigid rule. plus you're attempting to express abstract concepts which i guess is very diffcult, and you've also thrown away the concept of two distinct ideas that are not so closely or loosely linked together but still manage to come together seamlessly. but what do i know, i'm also a beginner . All i can really say from what i've read is that haiku is supposd to describe things in such a way that the reader can experience it as you expericened it with your own 5 senses i.e "show, don't tell"

let me give what i'm saying a try: (nigerian theme)

Morning drive
A country asleep...
An engine starts within it,
vroom!... cuckarookoo!

professional example (with reference to the season):
morning glory!
the well bucket-entangled,
I ask for water


did i make any sense?