Haiku Poems

Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetry form that captures a single moment in nature or human experience. In just three lines and seventeen syllables, a haiku distills the essence of an observation into its purest form.

Structure & Rules

Three lines following a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. No title required. Traditionally includes a 'kigo' (seasonal reference) and a 'kireji' (cutting word that creates a pause or shift).

Example

An old silent pond A frog jumps into the pond — Splash! Silence again.

How to Write a Haiku

Start by observing something closely — a leaf falling, light changing, a sound. Write down what you notice using your senses, not your opinions. Count syllables: 5 in the first line, 7 in the second, 5 in the third. The best haiku create a moment of surprise or insight in the final line.

Haiku Poems