Haiku
Haiku
Finding Stillness, Contrast, and Meaning in a Single Moment
Finding Stillness, Contrast, and Meaning in a Single Moment
Write an original haiku that captures a small moment, rich with imagery and emotion.
But don’t be fooled by its length—a haiku is not just about syllables. It’s about observation, contrast, and the epiphany that can arise from simply paying attention.
At its core, a haiku is:
A three-line poem
With a 5–7–5 syllable pattern (Line 1 = 5 / Line 2 = 7 / Line 3 = 5)
That expresses a moment of awareness, often involving nature, contrast, or stillness
More than a rule-based structure, haiku is a lens—one that looks outward, notices tension or harmony between things, and reflects it inward with clarity and simplicity.
Think of a haiku as:
A snapshot of a moment in time
A subtle contrast between two images or ideas (light/dark, still/motion, joy/grief)
A sense of epiphany, surprise, or quiet wonder
A moment that feels observed, not narrated
It is not about big thoughts or complex messages. The smallest moment, when seen clearly, is often enough.
~5 Syllables
Introduces an image or moment
~7 Syllables
Expands or contrasts with the first
~5 Syllables
Offers a shift in focus or quiet realization
Observe something real. It can be in nature, your classroom, a café, your backyard—anywhere.
Focus on tension or contrast. What is present and what is changing? What is moving and what is still?
Let your images do the work. Don’t explain—evoke.
No need to rhyme. Internal rhythm and pacing are more important.
Play with punctuation. A dash or ellipsis can slow the moment.
Stretch syllables carefully. If Eminem can make “family” one syllable, so can you—but only if it sounds natural.
Read it aloud. It should sound quiet and intentional, like something whispered into the world.
Haiku originated in Japan as a form of Zen-influenced poetry—anchored in simplicity, perception, and moment-to-moment awareness. These poems are often translated, but their essence is universal: attention, reflection, presence.
Listen to a haiku in Japanese to hear its music in its original rhythm.
An old silent pond...
A frog jumps into the pond—
Splash! Silence again.
In the twilight rain,
These brilliant-hued hibiscus—
A lovely sunset.
"The Taste of Rain" by Jack Kerouac
The taste
Of rain
—Why kneel?
In a Station of the Metro – Ezra Pound
The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough.
One haiku, following the 5–7–5 format
Include your name
Optional: Add a one-line explanation of what moment inspired your poem
Submit via Google Classroom or your class website as directed
It’s not about sounding smart.
It’s not about showing off.
It’s about seeing clearly—just for a moment—and giving that moment a shape.