Haiku

Hundreds of years ago, the Japanese created an art form - in the shape of a small verse.

In haiku, we share the thoughts, the moods, and the feelings of the Japanese poets.

5-7-5 Rule

There are no rhyming words in haiku, and each 3-line verse has only 17 syllables or less!

• The verse must express a thought, feeling or mood.

• It cannot have more than 3 lines.• It cannot have more than 17 syllables.

The haiku captures a moment in nature or in life and freezes it with disciplined language.

Each reader, then, thaws the message, the picture painted by words, and brings the scene to life.

This snowy morningThat black crow I hate so much ....

But he's beautiful!—Basho (1644-1694)

We could hear the trees ...As we went through the forest

Play with the wind—Roger, age 10

A castle standingOn a hill boldly watchingThe time goes on .... on

—Therese, age 11

An old silent pondA frog jumps into the pond

Splash, silence again.–Basho

In the darkest woodsA weeping willow tree criesWho made such sadness?

-G. Lipson

Instructions for writing a haiku

1. First, get a picture in your mind of a thing or a person that made you angry or sad or happy or glad –

"Or maybe you think ... A blanket wrapped around you ... By someone you Love" - can be made into haiku.

2. Write down your image using 10 to 15 words. Then put it into the 5-7-5 form.

3. Try to make others see your picture or idea.4. An illustration of what you are trying to express might

help.