Haiku is a type of poetry from the Japanese culture. Haiku combines form, content, and language in a meaningful, yet compact form. Many themes include nature, feelings, or experiences and usually use simple words and grammar. The most common of Haiku is three short lines. A first line of five (5) syllables, the second line seven (7) syllables, and the third line contains five (5) syllables. Haiku does not rhyme.
A Haiku must “paint” a mental image in the reader’s mind. This is the challenge of Haiku – to put the poem’s meaning and imagery in the reader’s mind in ONLY 17 syllables over just three (3) lines of poetry! Below are two examples of Haiku poetry by famous poets. Both of these poems suggest a seasonal theme or contain a seasonal word, which is common and preferred in the traditional writing of Haiku.
An old silent pond..
A frog jumps into the pond
splash! Silence again
by Matsuo by Basho (1644-1694)
Over the wintry
forest, winds howl in rage
with no leaves to blow.
by Natsume Soseki (1275-1351)
Now for my challenge…
Write for me a ‘ku
beginning just this way;
Once upon a time
Think you can tell me a story in Haiku, using only the remaining twelve (12) syllables? Give me your best shot! You have until Monday.
I will pick 3 faves and make you a quoto!
Have fun!
Magic in the Backyard™
©Kellie Elmore
Magic in the Backyard 
I’ve never done this before, so here it goes.
Once upon a time,
She wished upon a sunset
for her hearts replace.
Once upon a time/
We believed the same stories/
Ere experience/
#haiku
Once upon a time
An agitated young girl
Wrote haiku in peace
Great one! I’m making u a quoto! 🙂
Thanks to everyone for all the beautiful ‘ku submitted! I’m working on your Quoto’s now. Please check your email! 🙂 Look forward to the next challenge!
Hugs!
Kellie
Once upon a time
Life was simple, plain, sublime.
Now it is not, sigh.
.
.
.www.siggiofmaine.wordpress.com
.for those having trouble finding my blog.
♥ this. Siiiighhhhh 🙂 Thank you.
Wow! I have to congratulate you because I’m in love with this one! You said it will “have to do” …well it does and more! Beautiful ku! So happy to have you contribute. Thanks. 🙂
Your timing is perfect here for a seasonal haiku, but I simply couldn’t get enough feeling in it using, “Once upon a time,” for the first line. Sorry.
Midsummer rain falls;
returns the dry grass to green.
Temporary joy.
I have posted one Haiku two weeks ago, please stop by in my blog… 🙂 Thanks….
Once upon a time
Mankind was uncivilised
The earth smiled with joy.
Once upon a time
We could hear each other speak
Now deafening noise.
Once upon a time
The dawn dreamed through the dewdrops
Of dusk’s rendezvouz.
Once upon a time
Dreams of you kept me awake
Now the night is through.
Ooohh I love these! The 3rd is my fave!!! 🙂 thank u!!
I think these are inspiring.
Each has a quality all it’s own.
Thank you,
☮ ♥ Siggi in Downeast Maine
I agree 🙂
Thanks for sharing the architecture and imagery of Haiku. I posted one today called “Season of Change,” a quad Haiku. Feel free to stop by! 🙂
Will do! Thank you 🙂
Thanks for this awesome contribution!
Winds
Once about a time
Winds wrestled the unfolding leaves
As the crows took flight
© 2011 Michael Yost
Wow Michael! This is so rich! Adore it! I see autumn…cold, and im left wondering what stirred the crows, if the winds were metaphoric maybe…i just love the images from this. Nice! Thank you!
So Gimme some more details of this contest ??
Well it’s simple. Paint me your best story using haiku, beginning with “once upon a time” and if I pick yours I will put your haiku on a picture that fits it. They’re what I call “quoto’s” and I make them for participants in my Life in Quotations series. (some just call it typography) Hope that answers your question. Everyone has ’til Monday to submit something. 🙂
Once upon a time
My softly whispered wanting
In your memory
Ohhh soooo pretty! Thank you!! So happy to have you contribute! 🙂