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Just a reminder that you do not have to stick to 5-7-5 syllables as that refers to Japanese sound units than tend to be shorter than western syllables, and it is more important to focus on the intent of the poem rather than count syllables.
That said, if you can write a good poem in 5-7-5 that is fine but it is not a requirement.
Rohatsu retreat
the Buddha awakens
to the morning star
in each moment
of our lives
Bah! Who need guidelines?
English is not Japanese-
Stupid syllables!
Sat LAH
Gassho
Niall
Oh no, that is not what is current these days in world Haiku circles!
Kokuu will be along shortly to fill you in, I am sure. The 5-7-5 is now Haiku highly uncool.
Bah! Who need guidelines?
English is not Japanese-
Stupid syllables!
Sat LAH
Gassho
Niall
Hi Niall
Yes, this has been noted for quite some time in English Language Haiku (ELH) and the fact is that 5-7-5 in terms of Japanese sound units tends to be briefer than English syllables. Very few ELH poets write in 5-7-5 now and syllable counting tends (but not always) to get in the way of writing a good haiku.
That said, all poetry forms do have guidelines, and a sonnet is not a Limerick or a villanelle. You can write a six line poem and call it a villanelle but good luck convincing anyone else of that!
The late Jane Reichhold explains much of this in her piece here, in terms of what makes a haiku and what doesn't. Sadly, in western schools, the notion that a haiku is any poem written in 5-7-5 has persisted, and that is both untrue and misses the heart of what makes this form so enduring both in Japan and elsewhere.
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