The Original Haiku

What was the original haiku like anyway?

What is a haiku? The original haiku? Haikus are a form of Japanese poetry, and follow strict rules (which many people nowadays twist and disobey).

Format:

A haiku is made of three lines, each with a particular syllabic structure. The first line has five syllables, the second seven, and the last five again; this totals seventeen in all.

Subject:

Haikus are always about nature, at least in their original form - lots of modern haikus are not. They are also always about one particular season (winter, spring, summer, or fall).

Time frame:

A well-written haiku captures a moment in time. Many beginning haiku-ers make the mistake of telling a story with their haikus. Example:

The grasshopper jumps

Higher, and higher, then falls

In the deep green grass.

The haiku above tells a story. First the grasshopper jumps, then he is in the air, then he falls. A better rendition (though be far a perfect one) would be:

Muscles are tight'ning

The grasshopper readying

To fly in the air

Note: This is only an example of the "capturing a moment in time". It isn't strictly a haiku; it does not have a season.

Ready to write your haiku?

Author's Note

I didn't know what to call it, so that's why it's a story (even though it isn't). Am I clear and interesting or did your attention drift soon after the first two sentences? Please, be harsh. No kind comments allowed.