When the winter chrysanthemums go,

there's nothing to write about

        but radishes.

~ Basho

We are a part of nature, and nature is a part of us.  It is through this connection that we can fully see ourselves.  So, it's important that we all, somehow, find a way to reconnect with nature.  Don't you agree, Kero? 

  I think I hear the ocean.

One of the main rules for writing haikus is that they must, in some way, make a reference to nature.  So, in other words, the haikus on the haiku main page are not "really" haikus; Kero just arranged the page that way because he thought it would be cute. 

  Hurumph.

I didn't say they were bad!  I just wanted to point out that they didn't follow the rules for making a haiku.  Of course, as with all poetry, I'm well aware of the fact that rules can always be broken but the connection with nature needs to be present in the haiku.  You don't have to be obvious about it and say something like "the autumn leaves fall", it can be subtle and talk about something that might seem completely unrelated to nature but is, in fact, deeply related to it since nature, if you look hard enough, can be found in all things.

The next rule is the syllable rule.  A haiku is made up of three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.  This, however, you can be more flexible with, but, as with all poetic forms, it's good to write within the strict format sometimes whether you're just starting out or you're a master poet (which is not me).  Please keep in mind that Japanese syllables are much different when they are translated into English so, like the haiku on the main page, they might not follow the syllable rule when it's translated into English.

Haikus are very easy and fun to write.  I like them because you can write them anywhere and on anything (except your dogs, they don't like it when you write on them) and can only take a couple minutes to write when you're in the mood.  Some people recommend keeping a separate journal for your haiku, and if that works for you, you go for it.  I, however, am to busy and have no idea when my muse, a singing squirrel, will begin talking to me in his usual limerical style so I have haikus stuck all through my regular, fiction writing and poetry journals.

Sounds easy?  Well, that's because it is!  So, pick up your pens and some paper and start writing!  Let's see if I can convince Kero to try again...

  I don't know.

Oh, come on!  Pleeeeeeeease! 

  Oh okay!  Here I go!

The storm rolls in
like the waves hard and angry
after summer's storms.

How was that Utena??

Perfect Kero-chan!!

  Yay!!!!

See, even Kero can do it!

Why do I put myself through this torture?

Please remember that all work on this website is copyrighted and is the sole ownership of the author or, in this case, authors, and is not to be reproduced without my permission.  The background is mine too so don't steal it no matter what the voices in your head are telling you to do.