Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Beauty of the Haiku!


Happy New Year!
January is here; ushering in new possibilities, new dreams, new horizons.
Each day I can see the season changing--longer days unfolding, less snow, and a shedding of the old for the new.

I am reminded of the beauty of the seasons through nature.
Which brought to mind the Haiku.

Are you familiar?

A Haiku is a poem that originated in Japan. It seeks to capture the beauty and love of plants, water, animals and the mysteries of the earth.

Haiku is composed of three unrhymed lines--each with a specific number of syllables (17 total).

1. The first line has 5 syllables and tells the location.
2. Second line has 7 syllables and addresses what is happening.
3. Third line has 5 syllables and speaks to when the poem takes place.

Why not try it to stretch your creative muscles? If you're a teacher, share it as a class assignment, even.
  • Brainstorm.
  • Select a topic.
  • Look at images of nature, tune into a few nature sounds, or take a nature walk to enhance your experience.
  • Write words or phrases associated with your choice.
  • Adjust the syllables and words to fit the pattern of the Haiku.
  • Have fun!
If you would like Poets United to teach a workshop, conduct a poetry reading, or lead an open-mic event, please get in touch!
The 2016 Calendar is likely to fill up quickly, so make booking arrangements soon.

Email: Gemsjen@yahoo.com
Or write to us at
P.O. BOX 208704
CHICAGO, IL 60620

We look forward to serving you.