I’ve been exploring this poetic form. I enjoy the challenge of honing in on what you want to say, and doing so in 17 syllables or less. Some may view this poetic form as too constrained/confined. I understand that point of view. I also view it as freeing to say less or only what is necessary.
Haiku (or hokku)
Poetry Foundation Glossary of Poetic Terms
A Japanese verse form most often composed, in English versions, of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. A haiku often features an image, or a pair of images, meant to depict the essence of a specific moment in time.
Say It with a Haiku
Writing Haiku became a part of my daily creative rhythm and for a time, my primary way to respond and question what was taking place in Gaza. At one point, I said to one of my cousins that if I keep up the daily haiku for 30 days straight, I’ll put them in a book. I kept it up for a lot longer than 30 days and followed through on putting some of them in ‘Say It with a Haiku’.
A journal, Say It with a Haiku: 31 days of Everyday Creativity, is also available. A place for you to try your hand at Haiku or house other creative thoughts.
A Taste of Haiku
You can see some of my Haiku/Senryu on YouTube
In short, the subject of the haiku is nature; the senryu, human nature. The haiku customarily pivots with a sudden awareness; the senryu is more of a snapshot. – Senryū: The Haiku’s Comic Cousin”, Kimiko Hahn, Poetry society of America.
poetrysociety.org