What is Haiku?

Hannah and her new basketball.

Hannah and her new basketball.

“What is Haiku?”

Well, I’m glad you asked!

Actually, I have had quite a few people ask me that very question since I decided to teach about it in my latest Creative Writing class at our Homeschool Co-op.

Merriam-Webster defines Haiku as  “noun: a verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing five, seven, and five syllables respectively; also : a poem written in this form.

Basically to write Haiku you think of what you want to say and say it in 3 lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables.

For example, here is one I’m just coming up with right now.

To write a Hai-ku
You must count each syll-a-ble
And ex-press your thoughts.

 Helping me teach Haiku this week was my friend and fellow Tribe Writer, Sylvia Jones.

Sylvia posts a Haiku on her blog The Haiku Corner every Sunday.

I am always amazed at how much emotion Sylvia can get across in such few words. I am excited to hear that Sylvia is currently working on partnering with some artists in her area to sell her Haiku online. She is also planning to eventually compile her Haiku into a book along with some of her photography.

In my classes after reading some of the examples of Haiku from Sylvia’s blog, we tried our hands at writing our own Haiku.

ahaiku

A haiku by one of my younger students about her brother’s new chairs.

Here are some we came up with:
This first haiku is by Shannon from my older class.

A pen and black ink,
writing expressions smoothly,
while the day goes on.

Shannon has a real knack for Haiku. She even gave me some pointers.

Here is one I wrote in class that just about everyone can relate too.

Computer glaring
Waiting for it to finish
I pick up a pen.

 

My younger class did really well too.
I helped the younger students keep count of their syllables on my fingers.

Haiku about basketball written by Hannah.

Haiku about basketball written by Hannah.

This is one my 8 year old, Hannah, wrote:

Basketball is fun
I am wishing I could play
I have a new one.

Haiku is pretty addicting. Once you get started, you find yourself counting on your fingers wondering if what your thinking about will fit into Haiku.

 

Now it’s your turn.

A challenge for you
Will you write me a Haiku?
Please share in comments.

Alright there’s your challenge, I’m curious what y’all will come up with.

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About Anastacia Maness

Anastacia Maness is a preacher's wife, homeschooling mother of 6 blessings, and writer. When she's not busy counting her blessings she's writing about them right here on her blog, encouraging and strengthening families.

29 Replies to “What is Haiku?”

  1. Brianna Wasson

    So informative
    I forgot what Haiku was
    This could be so fun.

    Ok — I need practice. I could totally see myself getting addicted to the syllable counting. 🙂

    Reply
    • Anastacia Maness

      Haiku works the brain
      Have to think how to word things
      Without losing count

      LOL It’s pretty fun. My husband and I were having fun entertaining the kids by carrying on a conversation all in Haiku yesterday after supper.

      Reply

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