Haiku are most often written in the "Present" tense.
Haiku are not "poems" in the "traditional sense" one might have of poetry. They are a very different kind of poetry stemming several hundred years back when they were known as the opening to a renga and called hokku.
Haiku, historically, use a straight forward everyday language which is a strong Japanese tradition. Simile, metaphor and other techniques were employed from time to time by the masters. First, learn the basics.
Haiku are not “telling” but rather revealing. Unnecessary words should be eliminated.
Haiku are not 5,7,5 structure in a mandatory way. Basho ranged from that principle himself. Japanese language lends itself to 5,7 rhythm naturally…. and never intended to limit the haiku in any way though shorter, less wordy haiku are most likely to bring about a clearer, more succinct image.
5,7,5 generally make haiku wordy and awkward in English. German, Spanish, Armenian and other languages have their own unique problems for writing haiku. The Japanese spirit and cultural influence included in your haiku is what really counts, for me.
Use 5,7,5 as a "guide" to length and do not generally exceed the length of those lines unless it absolutely cannot be avoided. Less is more.... in terms of syllables in English. 2,3,2; 2,3,1; 4,5,3; 1,4,3 some ideas. Try to keep a S/L/S structure (short, long, short). That retains the feel of Japanese haiku. Remember, we're borrowing their haiku concept and we should respect that.
Haiku are strongest in English in a length of approx 11 to 12 words. Too many words ruin the image and oral reading. (According to Blythe and Higginson and countless other individuals and groups including the World Haiku Clu
Each word added either cloudys the image or distills it... so be careful in this regard. Wordy often = muddy
Haiku are moments in time captured by an objective observer, the haijin/monk.
Haijin are reporters…. reporting in a unique way what they witnessed. They try not to "embellish" the scene.
Haiku often refer either directly or indirectly to season (kigo) but these days, not always.
Haiku generally deal with nature, but not always, today. Contemporary subjects are more than welcome. But in writing so, keep the principles of haiku in tact.
Onji and syllables are NOT the same and do not equate. The myth is over. "Onji means 'sound symbol' in Japanese.
There's a thought out there that haiku should be easily read in a comfortable, single breath. That's an interesting idea I like a lot but I wouldn't say it's mandatory. Brevity is a high quality in haiku.
Haiku, well written, have resonance through imagery…. visually and possibly philosophically. They often have a lightness to them, since Basho introduced the concept.
Haiku employ what the Japanese call shasei – a sketch, on the spot composition of a scene and revelation. (situation and revelation)
Haiku often retain a unique perspective of detachment between subject and haijin (poet)
Haiku should not be superficial.
Kireji is a natural place for pause and in English sometimes identified by punctuation - , ; : ... and etc. In Japanese it is an actual sound made by the reader as indicated by the haijin.
Haiku have two main elements: presenting a situation and the other a sudden perception or enlightenment regarding the situation. It can either be the 1st line against the last two or the first two lines against the last one.
Many haiku you read today are not haiku. They are a list of statements, words or thoughts but do not necessarily bring into play appropriate images and structure to create the “condition/response” aspect of haiku. Reminder: haiku are not a list of statements and words. They are poems designed to reveal a moment in time that has a juxtaposition in them and that a reader suddenly “gets” the entire picture including the so called “ah-haaa” aspect needed to really make a haiku work well.
For more information please read here:
http://allpoetry.com/column/show/423262
http://allpoetry.com/column/show/2339486
These are NOT haiku (no matter how many syllables):
1)
very beautiful
wonderful clouds cross
the sky
2)
gorgeous stars
reveal the depth of my soul
I love them!
These really give no image. They say nothing but maudlin thoughts. Mainly, they are linked statements and simple thoughts. They do not "report" anything whatsoever, let alone use the haiku set-up of situation and response (sudden awareness of something). "Very beautiful" says nothing. How is it beautiful? Where is the image? "Gorgeous" is a matter of opinion. How is it gorgeous? Show us. "Wonderful clouds"... what does that show us? "The sky"... so... what does that reveal....? What kind of sky etc. "depth of my soul"... how do we "see" that? "I love them" is a simple statement.
The following ARE haiku (English):
1)
footprints
the crow hops
a mogul
2)
drifting ...
snowflakes powder
my nose
3)
a coyote pup
paints a snow angel
yellow
Some are better than others. The haijin is able to connect with certain scenes better than others. These have the basic ingredients needed to reveal scenes and their ah-haaas. Simple, less words (not more) and not over written. Each one can be read in a single breath easily. They have the set-up/response as they should.
Enjoy the form…. have a great time writing them and please, look forward to my haiku class here at Allpoetry. I am back as the haiku teacher and will be guiding students, once again, through the journey of writing better haiku.
Don
haikumonk
Former Dean of Education
Adding your comment:
I am printing all of the haiku columns and compiling them into a binder just for haiku...these are wonderful tutorials! 
Linda
...they don't get it.
I shouldn't complain...I used to believe the same things. lol
