Haiku – Definition, Structure, and Examples of Haiku (literarydevices.net)
Definition of Haiku
Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of short, unrhymed lines. These lines can take various forms of brief verses. However, the most common structure of haiku features three lines of five, seven, and five syllables, respectively. A haiku poem generally presents a single and concentrated image or emotion. Haiku is considered a fixed poetic form and is associated with brief, suggestive imagery intending to evoke emotion in the reader.
Because of the haiku form’s brevity as well as fixed verse and syllabic pattern, it leaves little room for anything more than the presentation of a single and focused idea or feeling. Therefore, haiku poems are allusive and suggestive, calling upon the reader to interpret the meaning and significance of the words and phrases presented.
Historically, haiku is associated with describing the seasons and their changes. In fact, traditional haiku feature kigo, which is a word or phrase that specifically indicates a particular season. This supports the brevity of the form as well as reference to the time of year. Many poets focus on the natural world and its seasonal changes as subject matter for haiku through the use of nature themes and imagery, which evoke corresponding emotions
Haiku is a style of lyric poetry that usually features intense emotion or a vivid image of nature. This is traditionally designed to lead to spiritual insight for the reader. This type of verse is considered a fixed poetic form, with three unrhymed lines in the pattern of five, seven, and five syllables, respectively. Contemporary poets occasionally vary the syllabic count and/or pattern in haiku.
How I selected photos and composed the Haikus
I chose the morning to photograph nature as I had a vantage point to be able to observe the moments before and during the sun rise out of Long Island Sound, birds beginning their tasks of moving or fishing, the moon, clouds, sky and how they changes with the seasons.
I attempted to write the haiku based on the experience of the day riding my bike to work, a task I never mastered. I settled on selecting an image or images that reflected the morning or a series that reflected a time in nature (sunrise, bird diving, wave motion, as well as fixed landmarks (rock, flagpole) whose appearance changed with the hour, day or season.
The photos I took that day were selected on quality, their horizon adjusted (I could never master getting a truly horizontal horizon, arranging them in an e mail and composing the haiku based on the photos.
In the haikus I sought to have central theme with the 5-7-5 syllable structure with attempts to create tension and foster introspection by juxtaposition of themes. They were written quickly in minutes as I was on my way out the door.
I hope you enjoy