A haiku is a brief, image-driven poem that captures a moment of perception—often in nature—
using crisp detail and a subtle turn. English haiku often echo the classic 3-line shape.
Core characteristics of haiku:
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Concise Form: Traditionally three lines; in English, many follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern,
though contemporary practice may loosen counts for natural speech.
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Seasonal Sense (kigo): A word or image that implies the time of year—blossom, frost, cicadas.
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Cutting Turn (kireji): A pause or pivot that juxtaposes two images; in English this is often signaled by punctuation or a line break.
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Concrete Imagery: Show, don’t tell—sensory details over explanation; present-tense immediacy.
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Light Touch: No titles or rhyme needed; restraint and openness invite the reader’s insight.
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Subject & Tone: Nature, seasons, small human moments—quiet, clear, and resonant.
Haiku works by juxtaposition and suggestion: two small images meet, and the meaning sparks in the space between them.