Haiku

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Closer Look At The Haiku

The Haiku, known as Hokku before the 19th century ended, is a form of Japanese poetry.

Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) was the writer credited for Haiku's name. He was influenced by Western culture. Shiki leaned toward the European notion of plein air painting, and he adjusted a style of Haiku, nature drawing in words.

The words plein air painting is french which means "in the open air." It describes out-door painting.

Shiki's verse columns, essays and views became popular in newspapers.

Shiki made Haiku his own by peeling away any resemblance to Buddhism and collaborative poetry. He moved away from the term Hokku, and put forth the term Haiku. The name Haiku has been used in English and Japanese to reference this poetry form, even though the term was around before Shiki.

The traditional Japanese poetry form spoke of nature and what place humans had in it.

Haiku poems are written in 17 syllables, moras. The mora is a sound unit, like a syllable. Moras don't translate well. So, syllables are used.

Haiku poems are 3 un-rhymed lines. The first and last lines holds 5 syllables, and its middle displays 7 syllables.

Some people read nature tales, take hikes or nature walk to prepare for Haiku poetry writing.

Haiku Poems

An old silent pond...

A frog jumps into the pond,

splash! Silence again.

--------------------------------------

the first cold shower

event the monkey seems to want

a little coat of straw

by

Basho Matsuo

===================

Over the wintry

forest, winds howl in rage

with no leaves to blow.

-------------------------------------

how many gallons

of Edo's rain did you drink?

cuckoo

by

Issa

======================

The wind driven storm

blows an ocean upon land,

splitting it in half.

----------------------------------------

jump 'way grasshopper

the blades will cut you down too-

its bag swallows.

by

Marcella Glenn

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8226893/haiku.html?cat=38