Haiku

A traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of three lines with a syllable count of 5, 7, and 5 respectively, for a total of 17 syllables. Often, haikus are inspired by nature and capture a fleeting moment or observation, focusing on sensory details and evoking emotion without direct explanation. The brevity encourages a concise and evocative style, relying on imagery and implied meaning to create a profound impact. They often employ a 'kigo,' or seasonal reference, to ground the poem in a particular time of year. The form's simplicity and focus on the present moment allow the poet to connect with the natural world and express complex ideas in an economical way.

Haiku meaning with examples

• Green leaves softly sway, Gentle breeze whispers a song, Summer’s warmth embraces. The haiku, a snapshot of the season, uses visual and auditory imagery to evoke a feeling of peace and contentment, characteristic of the natural world. The syllabic structure focuses the reader and writer on the essence of the subject.
• Snow falls on the pine, A blanket of winter's rest, Silent, peaceful night. This haiku creates a sense of tranquility by using sensory details to paint a picture of a cold winter's night. The imagery helps one imagine the scene and evoke the emotions of the season. A quiet scene in the natural world gives rise to a quiet poem.
• First bloom of cherry, Pink petals dance on the wind, Spring's sweet, fleeting grace. This haiku uses the kigo of cherry blossoms to signal the arrival of spring and its delicate beauty. The concise wording and descriptive language create a vivid image of movement and the ephemeral quality of nature's offerings, hinting at life's cycles.
• Old pond, a frog leaps, Sound of water in the air, Silence once again. This classic haiku uses a simple observation of a natural event to create a profound and open-ended experience for the reader, inviting reflection. The imagery of sound and action combine with the element of silence.