Most of us are first introduced to haiku in elementary school. We are taught that it is a form of short poetry from Japan, consisting of three lines, with a syllable structure of 5-7-5.

Is this simplistic explanation a definition of haiku? Possibly … but does it accurately describe the literary movement that is modern English-language haiku?

If you were to peruse haiku journals both in print and on the web, you will see a variety of poetry being presented as haiku. Most of it will not by in the 5-7-5 format. Not all of it will consist of three lines. What makes a haiku a haiku is can be a point of argument and contention. Strife is far from the goal of haiku, though.

Haiku sprang from Zen Buddhist traditions in medieval Japan. It has been described as the wordless poem, or as a poem of one breath. Traditionally, it contains a kigo (season word), and concerns itself only with nature.

When humanity enters into the poem, it becomes a senryu. The fine line that separates the two styles is thin, and I’ve heard more than one argument over it.

For the purpose of Riverbed, I am choosing to not distinguish between haiku and senryu and am focusing instead on the overall quality of the submitted work. While not comprehensive, here is a general list of dos and don’ts.

Do:
Visit other haiku sites and read what others are writing.
Use season words.
Capture ‘haiku moments.’
Surprise your reader.
Write as a meditative activity.

Don’t
Write a run-on sentence.
Focus on producing a 5-7-5 poem instead of a haiku.
Copy someone else’s work.
Force it.

These are by no means always hard and fast rules. However, I do believe that to be a good writer it is essential to be a good reader. Don’t neglect to take a look around and see what others are writing.