How to write your first haiku

Traditionally, haiku are short nature-themed poems, unrhymed, often with a seasonal focus. They capture a moment in time. With modern haiku you have some leeway to experiment.

Count the syllables

Line 1: five syllables

Line 2: seven syllables

Line 3: five syllables

This is one way of writing haiku in English. Outside the classroom, some writers go for a ‘poem with 17 syllables’ approach and don’t count the syllables in each line. Others prefer a short poem that can be spoken aloud in one breath. Still others don’t even stick to the English-speaking convention of three lines.

When I write haiku, I quite like three short lines and I don’t worry too much about the number of syllables in those lines. Though I do find 5, 7, 5 a great puzzle to play with.

C. Edit your haiku

Look for words you can take out. Adjectives and adverbs are good words to reconsider.

D. Read some haiku

Reading widely is always a good idea if you want to improve your writing. Visit your local library or school library (poetry books are often shelved in nonfiction with the poetry books, somewhere between Dewey 811 to 896 – ask your friendly librarian!)

A version of this post first appeared in my Substack newsletter The Poet is In, April 11, 2025.