Lesson 19 - Haiku

Haiku is a poetic form and a type of poetry from the Japanese culture. Haiku combines form, content, and language in a meaningful, yet compact form. Haiku poets, which you will soon be, write about everyday things. Many themes include nature, feelings, or experiences. 

The most common form for Haiku is three short lines. 

The first line usually contains five (5) syllables, 

the second line seven (7) syllables and

the third line contains five (5) syllables. 

Haiku doesn't rhyme. A Haiku must "paint" a mental image in the reader's mind. This is the challenge of Haiku - to put the poem's meaning and imagery in the reader's mind in ONLY 17 syllables over just three (3) lines of poetry! Check out some Haiku at Haiku Salon (see Lesson 2 for the link).

HAIKU EXAMPLES

The Rose

by Donna Brock

The red blossom bends

and drips its dew to the ground.

Like a tear it falls

A Rainbow

by Donna Brock

Curving up, then down.

Meeting blue sky and green earth

Melding sun and rain.

Keep losing temper,
Which saint am I to pray to:
Anthony or Jude?

--Tim FergusonI found this wonderful haiku over at Ironic Catholic by way of Patch o' Dirt.

Jesus lifted up,
Broken, bleeding on the cross.
My Lord and my God!

Nadja, author of Patch o' Dirt

Here I am again.
Why do confessionals not
Have revolving doors?

Nadja, author of Patch o' Dirt


I love November
'though, no colors in Texas
They are in my heart
by Peggy Cortez 

Copy, paste and print.  Mark the syllables with your pencil. If you are having trouble figuring out how many syllables, try clapping out the words, or putting your hand under your chin and counting how many times your chin goes down. If all else fails, get a dictionary! :)

Now its your turn to write a haiku. Pick your favorite sport. That sport will be your theme. Decide: 

1) For what purpose will you write?

2) What mood do you want to convey?

Think of the images, descriptive words, and figurative language that best describe that sport (remember sounds, smells, sights). Jot them down in web form or as you think of them. Then the final step is to experiment by putting your ideas on the Haiku "skeleton" - 5, 7, 5 (syllables) and 3 lines.

Look at your poem, check it for correct syllables and lines. Now, for the real test . . . .  read it ALOUD. Does it really paint a clear picture? Share your Haiku with someone else. Listen to his or her critique of your poem. A critique is when someone tells you the strengths and weaknesses of your work. DON'T GET MAD. LISTEN to the suggestions. Revise your work. Remember, the BEST writers are REWRITERS!

Fill in the seven syllable line.

Green elms in the woods

_______________________________

Standing tall and proud

Fill in the two five syllable lines.

___________________________

The petals bend to the earth

___________________________

You are ready to look at your theme from Lesson 15 and try it in Haiku form!

Hand write an original Haiku.

Choose a font and type and that adds to the look of your Haiku. 

Revise. 

Finish by illustrating your poem. 

SOURCE and resource:

Lyrical Lessons

A Home Schooling Notebook