| people understand what haiku is. And most will tell | | | | tiny poem accomplishes the haiku sensibility, which is |
| you that a true haiku poem must have a certain | | | | basically an observation or snapshot look at what is |
| pattern of syllables and lines. For example, the first | | | | happening in the present. Plus, it's subject is nature - |
| line will get 5 syllables, the second 7, and the third 5 | | | | another common haiku attribute. Let's look at another |
| again. | | | | example. |
| This is all well and good but it's not necessary at all! | | | | Haiku Example #2a swallowpond bathes...summer |
| In fact, most modern haiku in the western world no | | | | woods |
| longer adhere to this structure. I for one think that's | | | | This haiku by the author completely abandons the |
| a good thing! Let's look at some haiku examples to | | | | 5-7-5 rule and still works as a haiku poem. This is |
| see why. | | | | because it uses fragment and phrase theory to |
| Haiku Example #1:steady spring rain --a tree takes | | | | create a micro-macro view. Also, we have the phrase |
| shapeat dawn | | | | first this time followed by the fragment. Notice the |
| The above haiku poem is from one of my favorite | | | | image that is created by the juxtaposition between |
| poets, Bruce Ross. Notice that the 5-7-5 rule does | | | | the phrase and the fragment. This is what creates |
| not apply here. Also notice that the poem is still a | | | | the poetics of haiku! |
| haiku. Why? Because it uses something called phrase | | | | To write haiku in the modern style, you don't have |
| and fragment theory. The first line is a fragment and | | | | to worry about fitting your poem in old forms. This |
| creates the overall ambiance of the poem. The next | | | | frees you up to creating something you may not |
| two lines contain a specific phrase about something | | | | have thought of if you had to follow the 5-7-5 rule. |
| occurring in a present moment. Read as a whole this | | | | |
