Haiku is a form of poetic expression originating from Japan. A traditional Haiku is a poem of three lines with the first line containing words that total exactly 5 syllables, the second line contains words that total to exactly 7 syllables and the final third line with a total of 5 syllables as is the first line. In other words, the traditional Haiku has a total of 3 lines and 17 syllables. in a 5-7-5 pattern.

Reading translations of traditional Japanese Haiku may result in a sacrifice of the pattern for artistry in word meaning. Two samples (excepts from Autumn) of traditional Japanese Haiku by the famous Haiku poet Basho (translated by Jane Reichhold) are the following:

the moon so pure
a wandering monk carries it
across the sand

occasional clouds
one gets a rest
from moon-viewing

Some modern Haiku, not following the pattern, are from poet Gene Doty:

sea breeze
carrying the fumes
of jet-ski exhaust

county jail
morning glories climb through
razor wire

Once Haiku inspires you, you never know when a poem will rise up in your mind. I like the challenge of staying with the traditional 5-7-5 pattern. Often that means rewriting the poem after the initial inspiration or imagery. The rewrites clarify imagery within the boundaries of the line and syllabic pattern.

While driving home one beautiful summer day, the surrounding golden hillsides inspired this Haiku. There were many rewrites until the imagery was framed by the traditional pattern.

wispy cloud fingers (5)
stretching, stroking wheaten slopes (7)
languid in blue skies (5)

Other times a Haiku bursts out unannounced and complete; such as the following poem which arose while my students were taking timings (skill testing) in Keyboarding class. We had electric typewriters so there was always a lot of synchronized clatter during timings. I immediately wrote it on the board for the students and they loved it.

keyboard class timing (5)
popcorn popping until "Stop" (7)
one tardy kernel (5)

You can learn a lot more about Haiku poetry and modern variations of the traditional form on the Internet as there are many great personal web sites dedicated to Haiku. A good place to begin, with good links to other Haiku sites, is

Haiku for People- http://www.toyomasu.com/haiku/

At the "AHa! Poetry!" other poetic forms such as Cinquains, Ghazal, Renga, Sijo and Tanka are described as well. http://www.ahapoetry.com/haiku.htm.

Hmm. I feel a Haiku arising now.

do you Haiku? do! (5)
wings outspread on bright white clouds(7)
inkmarks on paper (5)