Haiku

The haiku is a Japanese verse in three lines.  Line one has 5 syllables, line two has seven syllables and line three has 5 syllables.  The 17 syllables are a compressed form, which is a composition in praise of nature.  Many original books of haiku verse in Japanese are illustrated gracefully in pen and ink sketches which capture the essence of a simple moment in nature.  Haiku is a mood piece in which there is no rhyme and there are no metaphors or similies!  There is a rhythmic difference between Japanese and English, therefore much is lost in translation.  I have broken the rule in the example below, regarding figures of speech, because the haiku seemed lifeless without them.  This is known as poetic license. 

 

Examples:

 

Old crow in command           A color riot

Always foraging for food         Lilac bush bursts into bloom

On his daily route              A splash of flowers

 

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