Abstract
Abstract: Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that traditionally contains 17 syllables, ordinarily arranged in three line-phrases of 5-7-5 syllables. The intention of each haiku is to demonstrate the similarity between disparate entities, where the similarity is not completely obvious, or stand in juxtaposition. The poems are focused on nature and the natural world. The language used in each poem is concise and imagery-dense. An American form of haiku has emerged that attempts to distill the use of language to 11 syllables delivered in three line phrases of 3-5-3 syllables with brevity of articles. Alternatively, American-style haiku accepts a relaxation of the 11-syllable requirement providing that an intense imagery is formed in the phrase. The following collection of ten original poems demonstrates those features with the motivating observations each taking place in Southwestern Michigan.
Recommended Citation
Kiella, Michael L. Albin
(2014)
"Pools of Water: An Exposition of Traditional and American-Style Haiku,"
The Hilltop Review: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 17.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/hilltopreview/vol7/iss1/17
