Poetry # 4 - Haiku Poems
Poetry Assignment #4: Haiku and syllable count poems
You are to write six Haiku and two Phone number syllable count poems
first draft of poems due by the beginning of the period Friday, 3/24
final draft of poems due by the beginning of the period Monday, 3/27
Haiku and Syllabic Count Poem Requirements and grading criteria:
- Six Haiku, all on a theme from nature.
- Two of the above Haiku are based on photographs of nature (include in your document)
- Two phone number syllabic count poems.
For all poems do the following:
- Write in the present tense.
- Create an image from nature. A slice in time, not an action taking place over time.
- Do not write *about* an emotion or feeling, but present an image that evokes that emotion or feeling
- Try to incorporate a “season” word. This may or may not be appropriate.
- Please use correct punctuation.
Haiku - six poems
We have already experimented with one syllabic count form: the Cinquain; now it's time to up the ante a little ... whereas the Cinquain allows the -writer the freedom of 22 syllables, the Haiku is much more demanding.
A typical Haiku is composed of three lines:
- five syllables in the first line,
- seven syllables in the second line,
- and five syllables in the third line,
- for a total of only 17 syllables.
Although to relate this form to the Asian poetic format it could (some think should) actually be done with less syllables.
Haiku is an ancient Japanese form that attempts to create an image from nature in the reader's mind. The most effective way of doing this is to write in the present tense, using active verbs and captivating images. Haiku poems do not rhyme.
Check out some of the links below that might prove helpful:
***Before turning this assignment in you must do the peer edit exercise: Haiku Peer Edit (Friday)
Here are a couple of examples of Haiku poems:
Lake, children afloat.
Kites drifting on a warm breeze-
Shade:cool, inviting.
Oak and Alderwood-
Leaves of yellow, orange, red-
Your sleep approaches.
Syllable Count Poems - Two poems
The syllabic forms we have worked with so far rely on predetermined syllable count structures. Nowhere is it written that you must adhere to these structures however; indeed, the number of lines and syllables is arbitrary, as long as you are consistent in following your own rules. Part of this assignment involves using a Phone number as a blueprint for two poems.
Sehome's phone number, for example, is 676-6481...
(6) White fog combs the treeline 6 syllables
(7) With cottonballs of moistness; 7 syllables
(6) Dank leaves coagulate 6 syllables
(6) In the drainage ditches, 6 syllables
(4) Mingle with mud 4 syllables
(8) In the rushing oily run-off- 8 syllables
(1) Rain. 1 syllable
(Note: if your number contains a zero, consider it a ten...yep: 0 = 10)
