HAIKU Another brief fixed poetic form, borrowed from the Japanese, is the haiku. A haiku is usually described as consisting of seventeen syllables organized into three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. Owing to language difference, however, English translations of haiku are often only approximated, because a Japanese haiku exists in time (Japanese syllables have duration). The number of syllables in our sense is not as significant as the duration in Japanese. These poems typically present an intense emotion or vivid image of nature, which, in the Japanese, is also designed to lead to a spiritual insight. Laurence Perrine (19151995) The limericks never averse 1982 The limericks never averse To expressing itself in a terse Economical style, And yet, all the while, The limericks always a verse. Considerations for Critical Thinking and Writing 1-FIRST RESPONSE. How does this limerick differ from others you know? How is it similar? 2-Scan Perrines limerick. How do the lines measure up to the traditional fixed metrical pattern? 3-CREATIVE RESPONSE. Try writing a limerick. Use the following basic pattern. You might begin with a friends name or the name of your school or town. Your instructor is, of course, fair game, too, provided your tact matches your wit. After reading the haikus and limericks included in pages 524 and 525 (found in chapter 18) of Literature to Go, the lecture, “Haiku Journey (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)” by Kimberly Blaeser, and “Small Poems for Big (Links to an external site.)” by Chinaka Hodge, what stands out to you about the haiku and the limerick? What do you notice about these fixed form poems? Of the assigned poems, which was your favorite and why? Next, I’d like you to write an original haiku or limerick. Your original poem should follow the requirements of the form. Please find the basic rules for the haiku and the limerick below. Have fun and be creative! Rules for the Haiku 1. There are only three lines, totaling 17 syllables. 2. The first line is 5 syllables, the second line is 7 syllables, and the third line is 5 syllables. 3. It should not rhyme. 4. A haiku often features an image from nature meant to depict the essence of a specific moment in time. It emphasizes simplicity, intensity, and directness of expression. Rules for the Limerick 1. There are 5 lines. 2. It should follow the rhyme scheme AABBA. The first line must rhyme with the second and fifth line. Lines three and four must rhyme. 3. The content is usually light, funny, quirky, and even absurd.
