Can You Haiku?
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A friend of mine recently commented on Haiku poetry; he quoted Basho about the many rules that apply to this beautiful poetic form: “Learn the rules, and then forget them.”
I love this is stunning style of poetry. Yet there are literally dozens of rules that govern its writing; I was amazed to discover just how many published conventions, interpretations, composition instructions and guidelines contradict each other.
For example:
· do not use of pronouns;
· limited use of pronouns is permitted;
· always write in 5,7, and 5;
· move beyond 5, 7, and 5;
· only use acceptable techniques;
· never use rhyme;
· rhyme is sometimes permitted;
· use present tense of here and now;
· use a word that denotes a season;
· seasons need not be present in Haiku;
· use images of nature – not of humanity;
· and many more.
Since I am fascinated with this exquisite poetry, my new mission is to obtain a couple of books (one may suffice) written by Haiku experts.
The following pseudo-Haiku were written with tongue-in-cheek humor about my disconcerted learning process. (No disrespect intended.) Thus, the disclaimer: The following are Haiku puns and therefore do not follow all of the rules.
Five, seven and five,
No anthropomorphism;
Haiku rules, sternly.
Spring must never spring,
Fall cannot follow summer;
Winter has no choice.
Seventeen pure sounds,
Syllables to you and I;
Let us counts the ways.
The first two I write
Of my thoughts, senses and mood;
You can write the third.
Japanese, English...
Traditional to modern;
Lost in Translation.
Intrepid words stray
Beyond five, seven and five;
Seasons come and go.
Water does not splash
On frogs that spring eternal;
Hopeful is the pond.
© 2012 Genna East All Rights Reserved
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These pseudo-haikus are cute Genna. I love this poetry too but have never been able to master the art of writing them. The rules are confusing and formidable. Good luck – I know you’ll succeed in finding the ‘write’ guides.
Words drip from your pen
A Haiku cherry blossom
Drifts down to the earth
----------------
Genna your haiku journey is well on its way.
For once, I am not late party.
Dear Lady,
LOL. Funny, Genna -- and very clever.
This one is my favorite:
‘Japanese, English...
Traditional to modern;
Lost in Translation.’
The deliberate and subtle misinterpretation you created with Basho is brilliant – there are dozens of them out there:
‘Water does not splash
On frogs that spring eternal;
Hopeful is the pond. ‘
Hang in there, Genna. I recommend ‘The Sound of Water’ by Sam Hamill – nothing is ‘Lost in Translation.’
Thanks for the nod -- before I forget, Molly says, “Hugs back.”
Hi Genna. My husband is a haiku tutor (proper one not of the 5:7:5 aficionado's, he's widely published, award-winning etc), and so I asked him what one book he would recommend to someone in your position. He suggested "Haiku: A Poet's Guide" by Lee Gurga. You'll find it on Amazon if you fancy taking a look. If you try to learn all the rules at once, it's overwhelming, but you find yourself picking them up naturally as you get your head around it more and learn to respond to nature etc with a "haiku" mind. In the meantime, yours are some of the best and most worthwhile "pseudo-haiku" I think I've ever read! Liked the hidden Basho reference! Good luck with your haiku if you decide to continue.
A Haiku lesson in Haiku! You are just amazing Genna. I had decided to stay away from Haiku because I think poetry shouldn't have rules...that's the rebel in me talking...lol. I might just practice with it a bit.
@nishlavrez
Thanks so much for stopping by. I understand Haiku, but writing it can be challenging with all of the rules.
@Maya
Hey there. :-) Thank you...humor is what I was aiming for. Good to see you, my friend!
@Mckbirdbks
Hi Mike. Thank you. I am certainly committed to this poetic form; I hope I am on my way. Cheers, and I hope you have a great weekend!
@DanWW
Hi Dana. And thank you, kind sir…you are like a knight in shining armor. :-) I’m happy you picked up on the puns and play on words. Take care of you. Hugs to you and M.
@Keri Summers
Hello Keri. Thanks for that wonderful and interesting comment!
There must be 40-50 rules with Haiku. I will definitely look up your recommendations. It was disheartening to see certain experts contradict each other on just what those rules are; many cannot get past the 5-7-5.
Please thank your husband for me. It is good to hear that he has moved well beyond the confines of the 5, 7, and 5. I look forward to reading his work as well. It sounds as though he is indeed an expert with this art form. Take care and enjoy the day! :-)
@Cardisa
Hi there. Yes, you and I both know that we are rebels at heart, if not gypsies of poetry. Hubby said to me the other day, “Hmmmm…Haiku? And how long will this infatuation last? What about your short stories and free verse?” Lol. He knows I will become a little nervous with learning 40+ rules in writing this kind of poetry. :-) Have a great day!
This Haiku poem is good, sometimes I don't understand some of the Haiku poems. Voted up and beautiful, Joyce.
Hi Genna, I didn't realise there were so many rules with haiku!
I loved your haiku and voted up.
Best wishes Lesley
HaHa..I can't stop laughing. This is funny. I can't count the times i've changed a Haiku into a Senryu and vice versa...What the heck!! We're having fun. Leave us alone..Hee..Loved it Genna
I have learned something new today and I thank you for the education on Haiku. I am sure there is a beauty unknown in the lyrics that takes time to appreciate. It is a little too much for me to tackle so I will enjoy reading your lovely posts instead.
Like this Genna; you've presented the haiku poem in a fun and unique way. The breakdown on the rules is helpful too in understanding the art of haiku writing better.
"There is no right way,
Only this way and that way."
Read with interest"
diogenes
@Writer20
Hello Joyce. I agree that some Haiku can be hard to understand. Good to see you and thanks or the comment and vote.
Have a great day. :-)
@MovieMaster
Hi Lesley. Yes, there are dozens of them, and a number of experts disagree with how to write Haiku. For example, one does not have to follow the 5,7, and 5 rule. This is what was making learning how to write Haiku properly so confusing. Thanks for the wonderful comments and vote. Cheers!
@Always Exploring
Hello Ruby. Thanks for the laughter – I am so pleased you got the humor as this was my intent, dear friend. It is why I used rhyme in the title; rhyme is also frowned upon with Haiku. I love your Haiku, by the way. And you are so right…what the heck – leave us alone! Lol!
@Teaches12345
Hello – good to see you! What a nice thing to say; thank you. I waited a long time before I started to write Haiku, and I’m still learning. There are Haiku writers on the hub that are better then I with this unique art form…I’m still struggling with it a bit. Have a great day! :-)
@Alastar Packer
Thank you. I had hoped readers would have some fun with this Haiku, so I am happy you enjoyed this tongue-in-cheek approach. Actually, there are about 40-50 rules in all; it’s a long list that I couldn’t get to quote here…not enough room. My hope is that people will enjoy writing Haiku, and not to be put off by the rules. Have a great day.
@Diogenes
Hello Bob! Loved your Haiku…very clever, and very true. :-)
Cheers and enjoy the day!
Late to the party
Sorry for showing up late
Enjoyed all haiku's
So many of my haiku's are probably not correct but I so enjoy writing and reading them.
Up and Awesome Genna!
tried Haiku before and stopped. i had stopped writing poems a long time ago. i was just learning to write haikus then i stopped because of many reasons.
you have an edge in writing haikus.
@Just Ask Susn
Any time is a good Susan. :-) I agree with you which is why I wrote these pseudo-Haiku. Having fun and excitement with the writing is what it is truly all about. Your “Fog A Haiku” is one of my favorites. And thank you!
@bingskee
Good to see you, and thank you for the nice comment. When the spirit returns, you will write them again, I know. I am still learning. Take care and enjoy the day. :-)
I love to write poems always have. Haiku is new to me. I would like to try it. I keep reading all the Haikus on here and I love them but I still shy away from them.. Thanks for writing this great hub. Maybe I will try.. but in the meantime I am going to book mark this for future use. voted way up
Debbie
Much too hard for me
Too complicated, you see
Think I'll have a beer
Lol, Will. I usually have a glass of red wine before I re-read the rules...such are the trappings of Haiku, but I am determined (a.k.a. stubborn). :-) Good to see you.
This is marvelous Genna! Now I know why I have not tried my hand at Haiku :-) I would like to. Are you willing to tutor me? Voted up and more!
Thank you so much...I think I'm the one that desperately needs tutoring. Good to see you and I appreciate the thoughtful words and vote. :-)
Amazing Genna, had me smiling all the way through! I for one believe poetry is a divine utterance of the heart that cannot be restrained...I know that many will not like my definition... but it is good to challenge yourself once in a while by fitting into haiku's metric and style! Well done...the rules are made to be bent... :) Good one here!
Thank you, Sofie. I agree with you; rules are made to be bent. And thank you for the visit...it always brings a smile. :-)
While I Love the Flow and Rhythm of a Haiku Poem, I have not try to write one yet...Not yet... I so Enjoyed your Hub with it's Tongue and Cheek Humor Gina. Fun read!
I love reading Haiku poetry , especially yours but I have not tried it myself yet. Maybe I should!
Having written some for Valentine's day recently , I fully appreciate your feelings. I too was perturbed by the profusion of rules and misconceptions and in the end just went and wrote some the way my heart told me to! Love your haiku on haiku!
Rules built some cages
Haiku birds went flying out
Wings spread wide and high
The very first time I composed Haiku I just did not feel at ease with it but after a few more shots it grew on me.
This is a great hub Genna;an in depth lesson.
Take care and enjoy your day.
Eddy.
Haiku is always able to give me a headache. But everytime I managed to write one, the feeling that I accomplished something really good so I keep trying to write it. I hope I can mastering it someday.
Thank you for the lesson. I like what you friend said,
“Learn the rules, and then forget them.”
Have a nice day there
Best wishes
Freya
Please forgive me for not responding sooner, but I have been literally overwhelmed with work these past few weeks. I haven’t had two minutes to myself, it seems.
@B.Malin
Hi there...it is good to see you! I'm pleased you enjoyed the humor. :-)
@acaetnna
Thank you. All of the rules an be intimidating, but I think it's well worth the effort. I look forward to reading yours soon.
@Docmo
Hi there and hugs! Good to see you back! :-) I love your "Haiku birds went flying out"; my favorite line in this clever Haiku. :-)
@Eiddwen
Hello Eddy; yes, it does grow on you. I am pleased to hear you are still writing Haiku. Hugs.
@Freya;
Best wishes to you as well. Thanks for the visit, and the thoughtful comments. I have no doubt that you will master Haiku soon, and well. Take care.
Since our last HP meeting I have continued to have fun with Haiku on a regular basis (Americn Haiku that is.) In a sense they are easier poems to write once the pattern sinks in. Mine are mostly about emotions and people-centered events, not the purely "nature speaking to us variety." Good effort in this hub of yours.
Thanks you, Pers. I'm still learning, and look forward to reading our Haiku. :-)
nishlaverz 3 months ago
I've never got to understanding Haiku to me they seem to make no sense.