Haiku Samples

Haiku sample traditional Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. It is comprised of 3 phrases. Traditional haiku form is a total of 17 syllables with the first line having 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the last line has 5. The one on the far left by Earle J. Stone follows the traditional pattern. Often, the third line is a surprise. It might be about something different from the first two lines, perhaps a new perspective.

Contemporary haiku in English often ignores the 5-syllable, 7-syllable, 5-syllable format. Haiku not traditional

Deserted beach
will it stay or go
the driftwood!

His short apology,
and how the chocolates after
cling and cling.

Sundial garden
father’s peach tree
growing in his ashes.

Free Haiku is available on https://www.haikucandy.com

Anthony Rutledge has authored thousands of Haiku and selected some to share online at the above site. He offers an unusual service for personal or commercial use. You can sign up to have a Haiku added at the end of your emails (you can cancel at any time).

If you’d like to share a haiku you’ve written, put it into the reply comment here. I’m interested in reading yours. I’ve learned to appreciate haiku more than I have before.

6 Comments

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6 Responses to Haiku Samples

  1. Thanks for the info, though it differs from what I have heard. The man who challenged me to start writing Haiku also explained that you don’t use verbs. If you do, it’s not Haiku, but Senryu. A definition from dictionary.com doesn’t mention the addition of verb, and further defines Senryu: “a three-line unrhymed Japanese poem structurally similar to a haiku but treating human nature usually in an ironic or satiric vein. It is also unlike haiku in that it usually does not have any references to the seasons. Senryu developed from haiku and became especially popular among the common people about the 18th century. It was named for Karai Hachiemon (pen name Senryu), one of the most popular practitioners of the form.” Thanks also for the additional information that Haiku can have an ironic or paradoxical last line. I’m still a novice in this and other poetry matters

    • Interesting, Elaine, I’m sure you are technically correct. Senryu, I seem to remember that term in English class also about no verbs. I think now days, people are writing more Senryu than Haiku, I certainly did in Winterfest although I still think of it as Haiku. I love the simplicity and limited number of syllables. It was a great exercise for me and I think has helped my writing in general.

  2. ladywinfred

    Sea birds’ pas de deux
    Across the Spring cotton sky,
    Palm trees applauding.

  3. Crystalized sugar,
    caramelized the white stovetop,
    tidbits burn smokey.

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