What is a "Haiku"???

A Haiku is a short form of Japanese poetry with an oriental metric
that appeared in the XVI Century, and continues to be
very popular.

A Haiku has 3 lines and 17 syllables, distributed in
an arrangement of 5-7-5.

Example:

The first line has 5 syllables
The second line has 7 syllables
The third line has 5 syllables

May I also add...

All haikus are not 5-7-5, though that is definitely my favorite pattern and it IS the most popularly used pattern. Some also use four lines with less than 17 syllables, but everyone MUST follow the 17 syllable limit rule or else it simply becomes a small free style poem.

True...

However, in my understanding of a haiku... there are various deviations from the "original Japanese" styles or types of haikus, such as you mention...

For example there is the "Brazilian Haikus/Haikai" (and many more) which is also known as the "Guilherme de Almeida style" (which was named after a famous brazilian writer -- Guilherme de Almeida-- who introduced the haiku/haikai poetry in Portugese. This style consists of a rime following the rules that he created...

Sample

_ _ _ _ x

o _ _ _ _ _ o

_ _ _ _ x

x rimes with x
o rimes with o

.... hence, indeed there are many forms of haikus and other styles of poetry as well! Thank you Joyce for sharing ....

wooo I gotta tried me one ah dem. You know I love to rhyme.

indeed and thankz lovin dis place !!

I'm enjoying it too Rich. In fact, I gonna sit back and read haikus tomorrow. Right here in my new home...expecting lotsa company. :)

count me in i'll be watching from above wit my glasses on
reading away!

:lol: @ $$RICH$$ @glasses :lol: cute :)

let me check dis out coz Haikus comes in many shapes i see
glad y'all teaching me dis

Thanks for that bit of information on the definition of Haiku. Sorry i didn't follow the correct formula. I suppose i should have posted elsewhere.
Forgive my ignorance.

no sweat i will place it in da right forum for u

I suggest "The Haiku Handbook" by William J. Higginson for anyone who wants to learn more about Haiku as an artform. It really helped me.

Here is a link:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=4NQOIBYPLB&isbn=4770014309&itm=1

Another book of Haiku that may be of interest is "Haiku: This Other World" by Richard Wright (Author of Native Son, Black Boy, The Outsider, etc.):

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=4NQOIBYPLB&isbn=1559704454&itm=1

You may be able to find each title at your local public library (both can be found at the Philadelphia Public Library).



Peace

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lostinthought/

thanks for this info..... surely many will be able to use it
i also will check into the links given for this great created writting
style ....

Haiku's is a art of creative flow in a style of 17 or less
and it also gives a strong view of the message written

true true......set the record straight......u right!

yes it's an art created within 17 or less
written in many styles the most used one
is the 5-7-5 format but can be done differently
with less once it rise above 17 then it become
a short poem a very unique art to writting poetry

haiku has taken on many forms...originally, besides the l7 syllable concept
(which still exists)...some form of nature, ideally should be entered into the work...poetry/haiku is essence...nature is true essence..and how one uses the concept through nature helps keep it a demanding and difficult form...
mind you, i don't think or always do it that way myself...essence is essence...so...
just thought I would add to the knowledge of the form...some great haiku artists.. Basho, Bunshi, Saito ...just to name a few ..(they were all monks too)

thankz sista Deepy for adding that note !

Thank you for sharing your imput on what a Haiku is
i believe we all have our own style and lines that express
the whole of a Haiku, i have seen them written differently

the question is : is there a wrong or right way to write Haiku's

thankz , i believe it is reading up on it and the form
to best describe it , one you pass or go beyond the
17 it becomes a short poem , i'm still learning this style
of creativity and it's meanings ...

Here is my version of a Haiku

Changing of the Guard
hopeless love
life pulsates in mindful crevices
dawdling for a time

Winter blows in
memories of fall gone awry
ovens heated story

tiny snowflakes
fly through the air
fulfilling it’s destiny as it melts

beaming star bright
glowing shine fall winters moon
diamond waves the sea

grape thrives the jelly
Spring garden bathe in rainbow
loves’ throne

stars streak the sky
Fall solace split in fours
Winter withers in the hollow

Winter color lighted trees
whirling music in the distant dissipates
slush mounds carve the streets

Winter out, Spring in
season of lost moments
solid beacons in time

butterflies slumber now
in shells kept cold with frost
warm their melodies

hearts suspended
by the fourth season
when Spring’s whisper returns
years end final page
tearing away old guilt
smiling at new hope
whispers in the deep
rejuvenates spring ideas
none but dies but lives



strings of yellow brown and gray
stripped away, unleashing what’s
underneath
green, life is always

sing the words of
the willow tree, free the leaps of
the gazelle and
embrace
those who believe, wait and listen

Here is my version of a Haiku

Changing of the Guard
hopeless love
life pulsates in mindful crevices
dawdling for a time

Winter blows in
memories of fall gone awry
ovens heated story

tiny snowflakes
fly through the air
fulfilling it’s destiny as it melts

beaming star bright
glowing shine fall winters moon
diamond waves the sea

grape thrives the jelly
Spring garden bathe in rainbow
loves’ throne

stars streak the sky
Fall solace split in fours
Winter withers in the hollow

Winter color lighted trees
whirling music in the distant dissipates
slush mounds carve the streets

Winter out, Spring in
season of lost moments
solid beacons in time

butterflies slumber now
in shells kept cold with frost
warm their melodies

hearts suspended
by the fourth season
when Spring’s whisper returns
years end final page
tearing away old guilt
smiling at new hope
whispers in the deep
rejuvenates spring ideas
none but dies but lives



strings of yellow brown and gray
stripped away, unleashing what’s
underneath
green, life is always

sing the words of
the willow tree, free the leaps of
the gazelle and
embrace
those who believe, wait and listen



Oh yes sister
You have the touch
That was crafty
Well written
I loved it
Much Love to you Sis

truely you have it down pack
each one was very nicely done within the 17

Thank you $$RICH$$ & Tantrum

:smooch:

Believe it or not that was actually my 1st go at writing a haiku.

u did a great job at it too ....
continue to flow them they are great art forms

Here is a INTRO to a new vibe of poetry which i 'm delievering as da
flying V vaniku vankwish or the term vanquish....to gain da mystery
of it's place
it's made up with a format of 5-4-3-2-1 style and gives
a performance like the great Haikus do .

It's a mixture of 15 syllables unryhme'd yet connected

A B C D E
E D C B
B C D
D C
A

Divine soul of me
I seek da heart
beat of love
untouched
wave

Give me all of you
your love is dear
i need you
closer
now