You might know haiku as that classic Japanese form with the 5/7/5 syllable structure. And while that’s a fantastic starting point, there’s a whole lot more to haiku than just counting!

For a long time, especially in Western poetry, the 5/7/5 syllable count has been the golden rule. It’s a great way to introduce the form and gives a clear structure to work with. The idea is to capture a moment, often involving nature, in three concise lines.

Here’s an example of a traditional 5/7/5 haiku:

Green grass softly sways (5 syllables)
whispering winds through the trees (7 syllables)
summer day's warm breath (5 syllables)

Pretty, right? It evokes a peaceful, natural scene.

However, if you study original Japanese haiku, you’ll find that the “5/7/5” isn’t about syllables in the same way English syllables work. Japanese haiku count “onji” or “morae,” which are phonetic units that can sometimes be shorter or longer than an English syllable. This distinction led to the development of what’s often called “short form” or “modern” haiku in English.

Short form haiku moves beyond the strict 5/7/5 syllable count to focus more on the essence of haiku: a single moment of awareness. The aim is still conciseness and imagery, but with more flexibility in line length.

Here’s an example of a short form haiku:

winter moon 
a shadow crosses 
the frozen pond

Notice how it doesn’t adhere to 5/7/5, but still captures a distinct image and feeling. The brevity here emphasizes the starkness of the scene.

Here’s another one:

old oak tree 
squirrel climbs high 
morning sun

Again, no strict syllable count, but a clear, evocative moment. The power lies in the juxtaposition of images and the pause between them.

The beauty of short form haiku is that it often feels more natural and less forced when translated or written in English, allowing the poet to prioritize imagery and feeling over rigid syllable counting. It opens up the form to a wider range of expression while still honoring the spirit of haiku.

So, whether you’re a fan of the classic 5/7/5 or prefer the freedom of the short form, the world of haiku offers a wonderful way to capture the fleeting beauty of life. Why not try writing one today? Happy writing!

POET TO FOLLOW on TWITTER/X

If you’re looking for some haiku inspiration, I have a major recommendation for you! I follow a lot of poets on social media, but one I absolutely adore is the host of #HaikuSaturday, Susan (Mohar) Andrews @ https://x.com/AndrewsSusanM

She does something brilliant: she posts an original haiku written in the traditional 5/7/5 form, and right alongside it, she shares a short form version of the exact same subject. If you love haiku, you don’t want to miss Susan’s beautiful poetry!

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