Haiku

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

I love haiku. They are one of my favorite syllabic forms to write. This haiku is written for #TankaTuesday and the specific form challenge.

Haiku are written about nature, the seasons, a beautiful moment in nature, an emotional experience while in nature, or change. In haiku, your subject will always be about nature.

The use of a kigo (season word) is optional for this challenge. However, traditionally, a haiku must include kigo (season words) and a kireji (cutting word).

There is no exact equivalent of kireji in English. The kireji (or pivot) should supply structural support to the verse. At the end of a verse, it provides an ending, completing the verse with a heightened sense of closure. That is why it is often called an “a-ha moment.” The pivot connects the two images in an unusual way. When writing haiku, we should create two independent thoughts that compare or contrast.

Bring the images down to the barest of information. That is the brevity we always talk about. Use simple, and plain descriptive language.

Haiku does not deal with generalizations. Haiku is not philosophical; they are stark, disciplined, and to the point. The idea is to capture a mindful moment in time and memorialize it with your words.

When you create haiku, think in images. We’re creating a haiku with two images that connect in some strange way.

a bright night—
shadows of wet snow
veil the street

© Colleen M. Chesebro

This haiku shares two images: a bright night, and the shadows of wet snow. You know how bright a night can look when the moon shines with snow on the ground. The contrast is the wet snow or gray slush. It looks like shadows on the street. The slush veils the street, not completely covering it. It’s the contrast between the two images, light and dark, that is memorable.

That is how simple it is to write a haiku. Take two images, compare or contract them, and find that pivot line to make us remember your haiku.

59 thoughts on “Haiku”

  15. Love the explanation of the poetry challenge and my poems, I just write as you know Colleen from the heart and the ending has to rhyme lol….
    So Haiku has in a way always eluded me
    But I will give you the words I formed when seeing the image.. and I know they will probably not be within the rules..
    Bur here goes

    The Standing Ones Shine in the Light of the Snow.

    The standing ones are the trees… The Ancient Ones that stand and see time pass by in all weathers..
    Love and Hugs dearest Colleen… Happy writing dear friend ❤

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Keep standing in your light dear Colleen.. for the LIGHT has won… and soon this battle will be exposed for all to see who were behind the Spiritual War games … And the people will make new choices soon about how they wish to live… Sending Huge Hugs… Much love x

        Liked by 1 person

          1. Lots of Chaos as yet to hit the fan dear friend… But keep calm, breatheeeee… and Know God has a plan… Its all coming together even though as yet not all are seeing it.. But there are benevolent helpers working with humanity behind the scenes who are helping rid this planet of its evil… As yet none of this is in the public domain.. Trust dear friend… Trust and hold faith. ❤

            Liked by 1 person

  20. I am new to writing Haiku. Best explanation I have read. Thank you! Lovely- you captured it perfectly!!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Pingback: #TankaTuesday #Poetry Stars No. 256 | #SpecificForm: haiku – Word Craft: Prose & Poetry

  23. Most of our ‘snow’ is gone, but the bitter weather has returned.
    Your haiku reminded me of a night wedding and the veil of the bride 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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