The idea of this class is to learn how to write and/or improve writing skills of haiku. To keep it simple for now - a haiku shows a contrast or comparison between two different images.
A haiku is often a three line poem that consists of a phrase and a fragment where two of the lines comprise the phrase and the other line is the fragment. The fragment is either in the first or third lines.
Haiku are written in 17 syllables or less - preferably less according to the World Haiku Club. Haiku in English work the best around 10 to 12 syllables, otherwise they can become too wordy and this can cloud the image.
These days a haiku captures one or two moments by using clear and vivid images...roses evoke spring, fallen leaves relate to autumn, etc). The poets go outdoors and observe their surroundings; they write down images to capture a succinct scene. A reader should be able to read the haiku and "see" the images from the words. It's challenging. Basically a haiku is an unfinished poem - the readers interpret what it means by putting the images together.
For this class, we will not always be writing about nature. We will write haiku of any subject and we will study the art of "trapping" the reader's mind. Trapping may be the single most important aspect of haiku. We'll explore it in this class in terms of traditional haiku as well as contemporary.
NOTE:
Try to make your words count, not only in syllables. "Filler" words simply to make the syllable count usually detract from the "image". Words ending in "ing" should not be over used, especially more than once in a poem. Do not use overt poetic devices like metaphor, simile and personification.
Good luck in your studies as you move along your haiku path,
Myron.
A haiku is often a three line poem that consists of a phrase and a fragment where two of the lines comprise the phrase and the other line is the fragment. The fragment is either in the first or third lines.
Haiku are written in 17 syllables or less - preferably less according to the World Haiku Club. Haiku in English work the best around 10 to 12 syllables, otherwise they can become too wordy and this can cloud the image.
These days a haiku captures one or two moments by using clear and vivid images...roses evoke spring, fallen leaves relate to autumn, etc). The poets go outdoors and observe their surroundings; they write down images to capture a succinct scene. A reader should be able to read the haiku and "see" the images from the words. It's challenging. Basically a haiku is an unfinished poem - the readers interpret what it means by putting the images together.
For this class, we will not always be writing about nature. We will write haiku of any subject and we will study the art of "trapping" the reader's mind. Trapping may be the single most important aspect of haiku. We'll explore it in this class in terms of traditional haiku as well as contemporary.
NOTE:
Try to make your words count, not only in syllables. "Filler" words simply to make the syllable count usually detract from the "image". Words ending in "ing" should not be over used, especially more than once in a poem. Do not use overt poetic devices like metaphor, simile and personification.
Good luck in your studies as you move along your haiku path,
Myron.
Taught by azure85. Teaching assistants: haikumonk, myron, azure85.
