THE ANNUAL A celebration and competition devoted to the haiku form of poetry |
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Haiku Resources & Information A haiku is a three-line poem traditionally written in a 17-syllable format of 5-7-5 and captures a fleeting moment and a quiet impression which can often go unremarked on in our busy lives. The poems resemble little word blossoms, compact and bursting with life. Originating in Japan, haiku draw attention to the passing seasons and to everyday human encounters without comment or embellishment. "Think of it as a mental snapshot, as seeing the haiku moment in your mind," Dan Barth, another former Poet Laureate of Ukiah, explains. For those new to haiku, the following is a thumbnail sketch: * Haiku is a Japanese poetic form consisting of three lines: short, long and short. (In English these were often required to be 5, 7, and 5 syllables, but we no longer require nor recommend this specificity.) * Typically, two of the lines are related (called a phrase) and a third line (fragment) provides an insight or unique observation related to the phrase (examples below follow this definition). * Traditional haiku captures a moment in nature and always includes a seasonal reference. Haiku is about an observation and evocation based in nature, not solely about an individual's preoccupations or concerns. * Haiku use clear, direct concrete language—generally no figurative language or rhymes. Here are a few examples by Japanese haiku masters translated by Robert Hass: A bucket of azaleas / in its shadow / the woman tearing codfish. —Basho The cherry blossoms fallen / through the branches / a temple. —Buson The man pulling radishes / pointed my way / with a radish. Issa
Haiku Definition Haiku is an ancient unrhymed Japanese verse form generally set in three short lines containing a total of 10 to 17 syllables. The poem should contain a sentence fragment (one line) and a phrase (two lines that complete a thought). The fragment can be either the first line or the third line. Haiku typically contains a reference to images of nature. It uses simple concrete images of things we can see, smell, taste, touch, or feel. Writers of haiku avoid use of abstract or figurative language, as well as judgmental, philosophical, or psychological statements. The best haiku poems reveal the essence of a thing so clearly that the reader can experience the momentary scene or insight that inspired the author. To keep the poem simple and direct, write in the present tense. Haiku typically do not make use of capitalization, punctuation, or titles. English-language haiku have followed the form of five syllables used in the first line, followed by seven syllables for the middle line and five syllables for the third. However, English-language haiku no longer adhere to this syllable count, and are therefore as brief as the poem needs to be while keeping to the fragment-phrase structure. In English-language haiku, the middle line is typically longer than the first or third lines. Please note: both styles of haiku (17 syllable count and otherwise) will be accepted for all categories. Example:
Other Haiku Resources
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