Intro to Haiku
Intimidated by Haiku? It's a simple form, though there is more to
it than just counting syllables on your fingers - the syllable count
for the three lines are as follows:
5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables
The first two should lead up to the third line. The best ones are
musing lead-ins to something that is almost a "punch line" on the
third, though not necessarily humorous (consider limericks for that) -
a play on words or a new way of looking at what was being described,
with some profound insight or thought. A bit like an clever
soundbite, slogan or bumper-sticker.
thought or description
thought or description
conclusion that makes the reader go "ah!"
The best way to approach a haiku is backwards. Start with your epiphany
or revelation or pun that you want to put in the third line and
construct that first, then write the other two lines (which can be
seperate thoughts, or one thought over two lines).
Let me see... I have an idea. It's using the play of the concept of
writer's block with a block of wood. Pencils are wood. What can I do
with that?... writers need ideas planted....trees are planted....
Wood pencil shavings -
I must plant hardwood forests,
Sowing writer's block.
And voila - a haiku.
Now you do it!
- Primula
