HAIKU AMERICAN STYLE

February 1, 2021 

Day 1 Prompt – HAIKU AMERICAN STYLE

5-7-5 is shorthand for the “western” haiku form. Each numeral represents the number of syllables on each of three lines in the poem. It is not the only way to write haiku, but it is one of the most popular ways to write haiku in English (confirmed by a Jeopardy answer that aired on television, so it must be true). But, because haiku is believed to have originated in the Japanese language, translations of haiku into English rarely yield 17 syllables.

Always willing to learn and grow, I embrace the freedom to write haiku in various ways. I usually follow the rules and sometimes I deviate from them. This is art (not medicine), and artists do this with impunity, because it usually makes our art even better (and nobody is going to suffer a health crisis if my haiku has 16 syllables). I encourage others to embrace this freedom, too.

Getting Started: Writing poetry means “writing”. The most important thing I teach when visiting K-12 classrooms is this: “If you don’t write it down, it doesn’t count!” Divide your paper or device screen into 3 columns:

1. One Syllable Words
2. Two Syllable Words
3. Three Syllable Words

This will become your WORD LIST:
In each column, write down at least 5 words that are interesting and expressive. Be sure to include nouns, verbs and adjectives. Let the words come to you randomly; they do not have to be related and your list can be as long as you like. Don’t let any words stay in your mind; write them down always. Otherwise, you’ll forget. Ask me how I know.

For this haiku, I am going to suggest starting without a topic in mind; instead, let a theme emerge as you put words and phrases together.

Next, on a separate phrase page or screen, words from the list can be combined to create phrases that are 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 syllables in length. Instead of creating columns for this, the number of syllables can be put in parentheses next to each phrase.  Mixing and matching phrases, adding previously unused words or new words not on the list, the combinations will take shape and inspire ideas. A theme will emerge and the foundation for at least one, possibly multiple, haiku will be laid. The goal is to create impactful 5 and 7 syllable phrases.

Finally, the strongest 5 and 7 syllable phrases can become the basis for haiku. If two phrases don’t go together, each can be edited to create two separate haiku. By now, some topics or themes may have become clear. By adding or replacing a new word or phrase, writing more phrases that make sense for the themes that come to mind, the finished haiku will take shape.

For this prompt, a finished “American” Haiku should be organized in this way:

Line One (The Beginning) – 5 syllable phrase

Line Two (The Middle) – 7 syllable phrase

Line Three (The Ending) – 5 syllable phrase

The word list can be saved for a future writing session.

I invite you to share your completed haiku and post publicly with the hashtags #NaHaiWriMo AND #CherylsEverydayHaiku