English Haiku Examples: Mastering the 5-7-5 Form

What is Haiku?

Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form that’s made its way into the English language. These short poems are known for their simplicity and focus on the natural world.

A traditional haiku follows a strict structure: three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. The first line has five syllables, the second has seven, and the third has five again. But they’re more than just syllable counting. Haiku poems often try to capture a moment in nature, express a deep emotion, or even allude to a particular season.

Haiku evolved from tanka, a longer form of Japanese poetry. The poet Matsuo Bashō is considered one of the masters of the form.

This article is designed to give you a good overview of English haiku. We’ll explore some examples of 5-7-5 haiku examples and break down what makes them work. My hope is that you’ll understand, appreciate, and maybe even be inspired to try your hand at writing haiku yourself!

Understanding the Structure and Elements of Haiku

Haiku might seem simple, but there’s quite a bit going on in those few lines. Here’s a breakdown of the main components.

The 5-7-5 Syllable Structure

The most well-known aspect of haiku is its syllable structure: five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five again in the third. However, there’s more to it than just counting syllables.

Traditional Rule vs. Modern Interpretation

While the 5-7-5 structure is a guideline, it’s not a hard-and-fast rule, especially when writing haiku in English. Many contemporary poets play with the form, sometimes intentionally breaking the pattern to emphasize certain ideas or create a specific effect.

Counting Syllables in English

Applying the Japanese syllable count directly to English can be tricky. Japanese syllables are generally shorter than English syllables, so a strict 5-7-5 structure can sometimes feel clunky or forced in English. The emphasis should be on brevity and concise expression, rather than rigidly adhering to the syllable count.

Key Elements Beyond Syllables

Beyond the syllable count, there are other important elements that contribute to the essence of haiku.

Kigo (Seasonal Reference)

Traditional haiku often include a kigo, a word or phrase that indicates the season being described. This helps to ground the poem in a specific time of year and evoke associated feelings and imagery. Examples of kigo include “snow” for winter, “cherry blossoms” for spring, “fireflies” for summer, and “autumn leaves” for fall.

Kireji (Cutting Word)

Kireji is a “cutting word” that creates a pause or shift in the poem, often signaling a change in tone or perspective. It’s difficult to directly translate kireji into English, but poets often use punctuation or line breaks to create a similar effect.

Imagery and Sensory Detail

Haiku relies heavily on vivid imagery to evoke strong feelings with very few words. The best haiku engage the senses, allowing the reader to experience the scene through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. For example, a haiku about rain might describe the “smell of wet earth” or the “sound of raindrops on leaves.”

Famous Haiku Masters and Their Works

Many poets have taken up the haiku form over the centuries. Here are a few of the most well-known haiku masters and examples of their work.

Matsuo Bashō

Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694) is perhaps the most famous haiku poet of all time. He’s known for his simple, evocative language and his focus on nature.

“The Old Pond”

Here’s one of Bashō’s most beloved haiku:

An old silent pond…
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again.

In just a few words, Bashō captures a moment of quiet contemplation, punctuated by a sudden, small event. The frog represents external stimuli that briefly disrupt the stillness of the mind, only to return to silence.

Other Notable Works

Here are a few more examples of Bashō’s haiku:

[The first soft snow:]
Enough to bend the leaves
Of the jonquil low.

[A caterpillar,]
this difficult journey –
yet on, on he goes.

Yosa Buson

Yosa Buson (1716-1784) was a painter and poet known for his visual imagery and his elegant style.

“The light of a candle”

Here’s a haiku by Buson:

The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle—
Spring twilight

This haiku evokes a sense of sharing and beauty. One candle lights another without diminishing its own flame, symbolizing the beauty of generosity and connection.

Other Notable Works

Here are a few more examples of Buson’s haiku:

In the moonlight,
The color and scent of the
Chrysanthemums.

[On the one-ton temple bell]
A moon-moth, folded asleep,
Sits singing dusk.

Kobayashi Issa

Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) was known for his compassionate and often humorous style. His haiku often reflect his own difficult life experiences.

“A World of Dew”

Here’s a haiku by Issa:

A world of dew,
And within every dewdrop
A world of struggle.

This haiku speaks to the beauty and fragility of life, even within the smallest of things. It acknowledges the inherent struggle that exists in the world, even within something as delicate as a dewdrop.

Other Notable Works

Here are a few more examples of Issa’s haiku:

O snail
Climb Mount Fuji,
But slowly, slowly!

[cherry blossoms]
I’m showing you my love
but it’s a secret

[Everything I touch]
with tenderness, alas,
pricks like a bramble.

Examples of English Haiku by Contemporary Poets

Although haiku is a traditional Japanese form, many modern English-language poets have taken it up, exploring new themes and styles while sometimes bending or breaking the traditional rules.

Exploring Modern Themes and Styles

Contemporary poets often play with the 5-7-5 structure of traditional haiku. They may focus on capturing the feeling of haiku rather than sticking rigidly to the syllable count.

Also, modern haiku writers aren’t just writing about nature anymore. Today’s haiku might be about city life, technology, or even social issues.

Examples and Analysis

Here are a few examples of haiku from contemporary poets. Note that some of these poems do not adhere to a strict 5-7-5 syllable count.

Richard Brautigan’s “Haiku Ambulance”

Here’s Brautigan’s poem:

A truck full of lemons
Rolls slowly down the street:
Los Angeles, July.

Brautigan’s poem is set in a particular place and time, but what’s the meaning? As the Poetry Foundation puts it, “Appropriately, this poem suggests that nothing means anything at all — in a pepper’s exile from a salad bowl, in the rules of a poem, or even (dare we say) life.”

Ezra Pound’s “In a Station of the Metro”

Pound’s poem reads:

The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough.

This poem uses strong imagery and juxtaposition. We get a sudden, fleeting glimpse of faces in a crowd, and then the image shifts to petals on a branch. It’s up to the reader to find the connection between the two.

Jack Kerouac’s Haiku

Kerouac wrote:

[A raindrop from]

This is a good example of a haiku that doesn’t follow the 5-7-5 rule! It’s also an example of how a poet can evoke nature with just a few, carefully chosen words.

Sonia Sanchez’s “Haiku [for you]”

Sanchez wrote:

summer words slip
into warm
watermelons.

With just a few words, Sanchez evokes the feeling of summer. She also manages to suggest a connection between words and the juicy sweetness of watermelons.

Themes Commonly Explored in English Haiku

While there are no rigid restrictions on haiku subject matter, certain themes tend to recur. Here are a few.

Nature and the Seasons

Many haiku capture the beauty and essence of different seasons. These poems often use kigo, or season words, to set the scene. Sensory details are also often included to evoke a particular mood or feeling.

For example:

Green frog, are you too
lonely, listening for rain
in the dark bushes?

Mortality and Impermanence

Haiku often explore the themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. These poems may reflect on death, loss, and the passage of time.

Consider this example:

The lamp once broken,
replaced, now casts its light far,
but is not the same.

Love and Relationships

Haiku can express love, affection, and the complexities of human relationships. These poems often use imagery and emotion to convey a sense of intimacy and connection.

For example:

Falling star so bright,
a wish made just for you, dear,
may your dreams come true.

Everyday Moments and Observations

Haiku can also capture the beauty and significance of ordinary moments. These poems often focus on simple observations and reflections.

Here’s an example of that:

Empty coffee cup,
the start of a brand new day,
possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

The examples we’ve explored show how a haiku’s simple form can express complex emotions and ideas. Stripping away everything that’s unnecessary, and sticking to the 5-7-5 syllable structure, can be a real challenge. But it’s also deeply rewarding when you get it right.

If you’ve enjoyed reading these English haiku examples, I hope you’ll read more. Even better, I hope you’ll try writing your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own unique voice. Haiku is a great way to notice the world around you and express what you feel in a few carefully chosen words.

Even though haiku originated in Japan centuries ago, it’s still a relevant and powerful form of poetry. Whether you’re reading or writing it, haiku can help you see the world in a new way.