A haiku (hi-koo) is a short Japanese poem that focuses on one moment in nature. It’s a poem that’s written to be read in one breath. Sometimes Haiku is confused with the similar Senryu (we’ll take a look at the difference below).

The American (or modern) haiku is based on the old Japanese form, but it usually has three lines and a 5/7/5 syllable count. Meaning lines one and three have five syllables and line two has seven syllables. The Japanese form focuses on seasons but with the American Haiku we tend to broaden this to all things nature..

Here is an American haiku using the 5/7/5 syllable count:

Sometimes poets will throw the syllable count out the window and concentrate instead on writing a brief poem about nature without any constraints. Here’s an example of this kind of poem.

Here are the rules

1. Three lines with optional 5/7/5/ syllable count.
2. Most haiku is written in incomplete sentences.
3. Usually speaks of one moment in nature.
4. Haiku are untitled and do not rhyme.
5. The poem ends with a shift of perspective or enlightenment of some kind.

not sure how to count syllables?

Clap out each syllable as you say the word.
The word "blue" has one syllable (one clap): blue
The word "thunder" has two syllables (two claps): thun-der.
The word "poetry" has three syllables (three claps): Po-et-ry.

Haiku vs senryu

Haiku and Senryu are often confused with one another. They are both three line poems with a 5/7/5 syllable count but the difference is subject and tone. A haiku is about nature and seasons with a somewhat reverent tone while a senryu is about human nature (characteristics, behavior, emotions, traits) often with an humorous tone. Here’s one of mine:

I tipped the artist
a benjamin for every
wrinkle overlooked

©Danna Smith (poetrypop.com) all rights reserved

behind the poem

In Japan, hundreds of years ago, poets got together for poetry parties (sounds like my kind of fun!). Each poet wrote a short verse that, when combined with the others, became one long poem called a renga. The starting verse was called a Hokku. By the early 1900s, the Japanese recognized these starting verses as independent poems, and the haiku was born!

now it’s Your turn

You’ll find these poems are easy and fun to write. I hope you’ll give it a try and share your poem(s) in the comments below. If you are “iffy” about sharing, here’s a pep talk.

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