Haiku Structure: How to Write a Haiku Poem

Haiku Structure is easier than you might think

I absolutely love haiku poems. A haiku is a Japanese poem that doesn't have to rhyme. They are really simple to write and contain a single thought. That is why I love them so much.

Brevity is powerful.

Haiku traditionally are about nature, beauty, and human emotion. As long as you have the basic haiku structure you are fine.They contain three lines with seventeen syllables: five, seven, five.

Turning that definition into a haiku -

five syllables first

seven syllables second

five syllables last

Breaking it down ...

five(1) syll(2) a(3) bles(4) first(5)

sev(1) ev(2) syll(3) a(4) bles(5) sec(6) ond(7)

five(1) syll(2) a(3) bles(4) last(5)

Here is another original haiku example inspired by my new(used) Lexus -

Wind blowing gently

My hair tickles while driving

Pleasure of sunroof

Breaking it down ...

Wind(1) blow(2) ing(3) gent(4) ly(5)

My(1) hair(2) tic(3) kles(4) while(5) driv(6) ing(7)

Plea(1) sure(2) of(3) sun(4) roof(5)

Though these are the basics of haiku, you can find much more about Haiku structure and history in William J. Higginson's book The Haiku Handbook.

Happy haikuing!

Samuel Hatton is passionate about entrepreneurial activities. He builds,  implements and runs marketing programs at Endsight, SF Bay Area's choice locally outsource IT support provider. He also creates ventures like Life is a Play, a program dedicated to professional development motivation. You can find him on Google+ and Twitter. Samuel is always up for good discussions and activities regarding careers, marketing, entrepreneurship, performance, and dancing.