Okay, Larry.
Let's say for the sake of conversation that you're ready to submit your haiku to a competition that has haiku and senryu categories.
The problem is, you're not sure which are haiku and which are senryu.
Ok, let's try to find out. First, let's take a look at the basics of haiku.
While traditional three-line haiku of 17 syllables (5-7-5) are still acceptable, most modern haiku consist of fewer than 17 syllables. Written in the present tense, a haiku focuses on nature, frequently includes or suggests a seasonal word (kigo), and relates a moment of discovery/surprise—the "aha!" moment—with each line offering a distinct image. Also, within the haiku, a pivotal point, or pause, shifts to another image, thereby dividing the poem into two parts. The pivot occurs at the end of the first or second line.
Ahhh, but how do we know when a poem fits one or both categories?
As it turns out, telling the difference isn't so difficult after all.
English-language haiku consist of three content categories: Nature haiku, Human haiku (senryu), and Human plus nature haiku (hybrids).
Nature haiku have no reference to humans or human artifacts and often have season words or kigo. They are what people typically assume haiku to be and comprise only around 20% of published work in the best periodicals and anthologies.
from wet clay
where no seed will grow
the worm
– Elizabeth St Jacques
glaring like a snake
in the grass the snake
in the grass
– George Swede
Midsummer dusk:
after the coo of doves
a softer silence
– H.F. Noyes
Season words in the above: "seed" refers to Spring; "snake" indicates Summer; and "Midsummer" speaks for itself.
George's haiku poem includes humor, yet it is a haiku and not a senryu. In other words, humor cannot be used to distinguish between haiku and senryu because both types can have humor or not.
You'll also note that "like a snake" is a simile.
While similes and other poetics are frowned upon by most editors, this one works because of the delightful humor it evokes. Less experienced poets, however, would be well advised to avoid poetics until they gain more haiku experience.
Human haiku—more often called senryu—include only references to some aspect of human nature (physical or psychological) or to human artifacts. They possess no references to the natural world and thus have no season words. (Human haiku) comprise about 20-25% of published work.
at the height
of the argument the old couple
pour each other tea
– George Swede
long commuter ride
a stranger discusses
his incontinence
– Francine Porad
billboard:
the black hole
in her Colgate smile
– Elizabeth St Jacques
Notice there are no references to the natural world, excluding humans, of course. In George's senryu, tea is a human artifact.
Why?
Because a person has transformed the tea into a refreshment.
Human plus nature haiku (or hybrids) include content from the natural as well as the human world (and) often include kigo. They are the most frequently published kind of haiku--around 60%."
his wife's garden:
certain he has moved
every plant twice
– Francine Porad
cold wind:
into the strawman's mouth
the quick little mouse
– Elizabeth St Jacques
in the howling wind
under the full moon
the snowman, headless
– George Swede
"Garden" and the act of transplanting indicate late Spring or early Summer; "cold wind" and "strawman" suggest Autumn; and "howling wind" and "snowman" imply Winter.
Of course, when submitting work to editors, most poets don't bother to indicate haiku or senryu, but let the editors decide. Nevertheless, it's to your benefit to learn how to tell the difference between these genres, if only for competitions that demand differentiation.
Now that you know how to do that, it'll be a snap to sort out your haiku and senryu and submit them to the correct categories of poetry competitions.
Happy sorting and the best of luck! ~Dean Kuch ? ㊙️ ㊗️
Wow! I am submitting this to Guiness to be included in next years book of World Records.
I will be responding to you tomorrow, as I do all my writing in the middle of the night.
Hahaha...
I apologize, Larry. It's the teacher in me.
I taught poetry for many years and specialized in haiku and Shakespearean sonnets.
Many poets are under the misconception that just because a poem is written in three succinct lines, has seventeen syllables, and is short, that constitutes the poem being a haiku.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
You respond at your leisure, when you're able.
Hoppy Easter! †
~Dean ???
To think that you took so much time to educate me on the different facets of a Haiku, is a true honor. I have tried to ingest what you wrote me, but I must admit, I prefer Haikus and Tankas over Senryus. They come much more naturally for me, particularly Haikus.
Again, I cannot thank you enough for your endeavors.
Dear Larry,
I didn't expect this at all.
I've learned something from Dean's comment.
Following a recipe is tough. Lol.
well, that makes a late bloomer blossoms uniquely. Lol.
Comments
Okay, Larry.
Let's say for the sake of conversation that you're ready to submit your haiku to a competition that has haiku and senryu categories.
The problem is, you're not sure which are haiku and which are senryu.
Ok, let's try to find out. First, let's take a look at the basics of haiku.
While traditional three-line haiku of 17 syllables (5-7-5) are still acceptable, most modern haiku consist of fewer than 17 syllables. Written in the present tense, a haiku focuses on nature, frequently includes or suggests a seasonal word (kigo), and relates a moment of discovery/surprise—the "aha!" moment—with each line offering a distinct image. Also, within the haiku, a pivotal point, or pause, shifts to another image, thereby dividing the poem into two parts. The pivot occurs at the end of the first or second line.
Ahhh, but how do we know when a poem fits one or both categories?
As it turns out, telling the difference isn't so difficult after all.
English-language haiku consist of three content categories: Nature haiku, Human haiku (senryu), and Human plus nature haiku (hybrids).
Nature haiku have no reference to humans or human artifacts and often have season words or kigo. They are what people typically assume haiku to be and comprise only around 20% of published work in the best periodicals and anthologies.
– Elizabeth St Jacques
– George Swede
– H.F. Noyes
Season words in the above: "seed" refers to Spring; "snake" indicates Summer; and "Midsummer" speaks for itself.
George's haiku poem includes humor, yet it is a haiku and not a senryu. In other words, humor cannot be used to distinguish between haiku and senryu because both types can have humor or not.
You'll also note that "like a snake" is a simile.
While similes and other poetics are frowned upon by most editors, this one works because of the delightful humor it evokes. Less experienced poets, however, would be well advised to avoid poetics until they gain more haiku experience.
Human haiku—more often called senryu—include only references to some aspect of human nature (physical or psychological) or to human artifacts. They possess no references to the natural world and thus have no season words. (Human haiku) comprise about 20-25% of published work.
– George Swede
– Francine Porad
– Elizabeth St Jacques
Notice there are no references to the natural world, excluding humans, of course. In George's senryu, tea is a human artifact.
Why?
Because a person has transformed the tea into a refreshment.
Human plus nature haiku (or hybrids) include content from the natural as well as the human world (and) often include kigo. They are the most frequently published kind of haiku--around 60%."
– Francine Porad
– Elizabeth St Jacques
– George Swede
"Garden" and the act of transplanting indicate late Spring or early Summer; "cold wind" and "strawman" suggest Autumn; and "howling wind" and "snowman" imply Winter.
Of course, when submitting work to editors, most poets don't bother to indicate haiku or senryu, but let the editors decide. Nevertheless, it's to your benefit to learn how to tell the difference between these genres, if only for competitions that demand differentiation.
Now that you know how to do that, it'll be a snap to sort out your haiku and senryu and submit them to the correct categories of poetry competitions.
Happy sorting and the best of luck!
~Dean Kuch ? ㊙️ ㊗️
Dear Dean,
Wow! I am submitting this to Guiness to be included in next years book of World Records.
I will be responding to you tomorrow, as I do all my writing in the middle of the night.
Peace and Love,
Larry xxx
Hahaha...
I apologize, Larry. It's the teacher in me.
I taught poetry for many years and specialized in haiku and Shakespearean sonnets.
Many poets are under the misconception that just because a poem is written in three succinct lines, has seventeen syllables, and is short, that constitutes the poem being a haiku.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
You respond at your leisure, when you're able.
Hoppy Easter! †
~Dean ???
My Dear Dean.
To think that you took so much time to educate me on the different facets of a Haiku, is a true honor. I have tried to ingest what you wrote me, but I must admit, I prefer Haikus and Tankas over Senryus. They come much more naturally for me, particularly Haikus.
Again, I cannot thank you enough for your endeavors.
This Sensei
Teaches much
Sates my hunger
Peace and Love,
Larry xxx
P.S. Happy Easter!
I enjoy writing all of the short forms of Japanese poetry, Larry.
You're more than welcome.
~Dean :}
True .You should grow better and evolve with age.
Dear Savage,
As does a fine Bordeaux.
Peace and Love,
Larry xxx
Dear Larry,
I didn't expect this at all.
I've learned something from Dean's comment.
Following a recipe is tough. Lol.
well, that makes a late bloomer blossoms uniquely. Lol.
Thanks for this.
Happy Easter
off to bed now
My Dear Leah,
That makes two of us that learned something from Dean's comment.
Even at our age, it is possible to add new blossoms.
All my love,
Larry xxx