anywho...for the lazy folks...here's the definition:
Haiku is a poetic form that originated in Japan hundreds of years ago and continues today. Most people think that any poem with 17 syllables in it qualifies as a haiku, but that is not really true.
In order to be a true haiku, a poem must consist of 17 syllables AND contain a kigo. A kigo is best defined as a word or phrase that hints at what season the poem takes place in. Some kigo are more obvious than others, but all must have something to do with the time of year the haiku represents. If the poem has no kigo, it is more properly called a senryu. (This also applies to any 17-syllable poem about Spam or computer error messages.)
There is some controversy about whether or not haiku in English should contain 17 syllables or not. This is because Japanese syllables are generally shorter than English syllables; typically, one can recite a Japanese haiku in one breath, while English ones take longer. For the purposes of this site, we are sticking with the 17-syllable rule.
1. "RE: Today's Poetry Lesson: "Haiku" Defined" In response to Reply # 0
delrica you in there..pointing to my heart..whenever i enter an establishment with person's from over sea's i make it a ritual to speak to them in their tongue (when possible) if i cannot i ask how do i say how r u? in your native tongue. if i am not taught they get no money... so sistah u have taught me something and pointed me in an even greater direction so for this u get my money...my signiture will read 4luvofpoetry.com as appreciation 4 dah knowledge is that ok with u? ASIEM "Kuun fiyah Kuun" Quran (Be and it is) " A writer takes his pen to write the words again that all in love is fair" Stevie Wonder
"keep pennin till the earth birth's your rightful seed then nurture it wit more ink..." ASIEM "Kuun fiyah Kuun" Quran (Be and it is) " A writer takes his pen to write the words again that all in love is fair" Stevie Wonder