Part II: How to Write Poetry, and Haiku/Senyru

© April 3, 2017 by Olan L. Smith

When first starting out writing poetry it may seem daunting, and you may ask, "What am I going to say, how do I say it and what shape should it take?" The tendency for new poets is to write in choppy phrases such as:

"My heart aches,

I feel I will break,

Where will I turn?

My life is over."

But use in enjambment where the phrase is broken and carries over to the next line (some constraints do not use enjambments so know the rules to your constraints).

Here is the same poem with enjambments:

"My heart aches,

And I feel I will

Break. Where will I

Turn? My life is over."

The other thing about writing in short phrases, it makes the eye of the reader track back and forth and they tire or they get bored, so break out of the short lines for your poems and write longer lines with more phrases in a line. For example, the same poem:

"My heart aches, and I feel will break.

Where will I turn? My life is over."

Or as a monostich poem (a one line poem):

"My heart aches, and I feel I will break. Where will I turn? My life is over."

A beginning poet often is too wordy and goes on and on. Say what you came to say and be done with it; don't waste the readers' time saying nothing. However, some constraints call for repetition, but it is meaningful; you should remove parenthetical phrases. If you forget to say something, don't qualify it, rewrite it, and remember a poem, even a simple haiku, tells a story and is a complete thought. The haiku is a great constraint to start out with, because it has to contain 17 syllables. Practice the haiku and you can tackle any constraint in the future; and it will improve your free verse poetry.

An English style haiku is a mimic of a Japanese form of poetry, and the English version of it is 3 lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables, The haiku is focused on nature. A traditional English Haiku is a complete story in 17 syllables (17 syllables is not a strict rule, but is expected to most of the syllable counters out there), and it carries both a twist, plus enjambment. Such as;

Snowflakes in mountains

Gather with the wind from high,

Watch out, they tumble.

c. Olan L. Smith, 7-12-14.

"Snowflakes" is the seasonal word, and the twist or turn comes with "Watch out" giving the story a conclusion, and a point to consider. Interjecting subjective or human elements is not traditional Haiku, but it is called Senryu that often has a dark twist. The subjective rule is blurry in both English and Japanise haikus; so just know what your focus is when writing it.

Below is an example of a crossover haiku/senryu;

I love mountain snow

The wind reddens my warm face,

Wary that snow slides.

c. Olan L. Smith, 7-12-14

Pure senryu would be:

I love her so much

Even as she does leave me,

A cold bitterness.

c. Olan L. Smith, 7-12-14

I suggest you file your most trusted how to write poetry sites to a computer file for easy access. A good poet never goes anywhere without tools; pencil, paper, dictionary, thesaurus, and a rhyming dictionary. Other writers tools are more abstract; enjambment, meter, rhyming, hyperbole, constraints, metaphors, simile, shapes (concrete poem), onomatopoeia, stress, blank verse, free verse, diction, alliteration, refrain, and etc. These tools you need to learn and use to become a great poet. Learn these terms, and keep a file of trusted sites where you can quickly assess them. I tend to use only sites that are found on sites addressed .edu. They are more accurate.

Very your style, the type of poem you write, and write objectively; that is the sign of a good poet. They can write about something other than themselves and their emotions. They can write about anything or anyone. Their words can move mountains and make people think outside the box. If you want to write well, read. Read other contemporary poets and read the greats of the past. If you don't read other poets there is not much chance you will ever be great, and if you don't read contemporary poets there is not much chance you will network with the collective mind of poets, and believe me, inside that mind is where great ideas come from.