Let’s write a haiku
Go for a haiku walk
Haiku poets always carry a small notebook in their pocket when they go on a ginko (a walk done in search of inspiration to write a haiku).
During a ginko walk, observe what is happening around you. Use all your senses. Write down everything that you see, hear, touch, taste, smell. Anything that catches your attention.
Sometimes, a haiku will come to you already finished, in three lines, with two images. Sometimes, you’ll have a list of images, but no haiku yet. When you re-read these notes after your walk, maybe you’ll find a second image that will complete the haiku.
Take the plunge
Take a walk to the park. Observe the nature around you. What is happening now? Is there a dog running in the park? What color is he? What is he doing? Is he barking? Why? What do you see, feel, taste, hear, feel? Write it down.
Remember: A haiku is a short poem that describes, in only three lines, what's happening in this place at this time (Basho).
Six basic rules of haiku
1. Keep it short
2. Write in the present tense
3. Follow a "short-long-short" pattern
4. Use your senses
5. Juxtapose two images
6. Include a season word
Now write a haiku
1. Go on a walk and write everything you see.
2. When you come home, draw three lines on a piece of paper: a short line, a longer line, and another short line.
3. On the first line, write “I saw”.
(1) I saw ________________
(2) ___________________________________________________________
(3) ________________________________
4. On the next two lines, write down one thing you saw on your walk.
5. Now, erase the first line and replace it by another image. (Try using the techniques of comparison, contrast, or association, so your two images create a aha! moment.) If you're stuck, simply write where and when the poem is taking place. Example: "afternoon walk".
6. Your haiku is done!
Download
Print a free handout for your class:
Haiku: A short introduction (with cartoons) (pdf, double-sided)
Continue to next chapter: Share your haiku »
Bonus
How to Write a Haiku
Next Chapter: Share your haiku »