Haiku from the Heart
HAIKU HINTS
My Thoughts and Feelings Just Won't Fit into 17 Syllables
Sometimes they won't. However, there are some simple ways to crystallize your thoughts into a haiku format. Consider the following:
- What have you written that is extraneous? For example, can you take out words like
"the" and/or "a", and still retain the integrity and full meaning of your poem?
- Can you change any of the verb tenses to add or delete a syllable? If yes, you might
change a verb from its present tense to the present participle form or vice versa.
Example: using the term "escaping" (present participle form) instead of "escape"
(present tense) will “add” a syllable.
Note: in general, avoid using the past tense of a verb. Use of the present and/or present participle tense keeps the poem in the "now", making it timeless. - If you need "more" syllables, consider adding further descriptors (adjectives or
adverbs).
- If you need "fewer" syllables, consider deleting or changing a descriptor. Example:
use the term "sad" or "morose" instead of "unhappy".
- Try putting the poem aside for a few hours or even days. The "right amount" of syllables
may form in your mind without too much mental labor on your part.
Note: the poem might even change form altogether...this is all part of your inner creativity.
Don't worry if your thoughts and feelings don't fit into a haiku format; the point
is not to wrack your brain and get a headache by creating a haiku poem. If your
poem doesn't fall fairly easily into 17 syllables, then you have the opportunity
to follow a different poetic format, including a free-
For further pointers, peruse the Composing Haiku Section.