Haiku & Tanka Poetry

English I

Mr. Dewalt

俳句

What Is Haiku Poetry?

A Haiku poem is a traditional Japanese three-line poem.

Contains five syllables in the first line; seven syllables in the second line; and five syllables in the third line.

A haiku poem typically presents a single vivid image, often of nature or the seasons.

A haiku poem is intended to evoke in the reader a specific emotional or spiritual response.

Haiku Poems

“Summer grasses growwhere the stalwart soldiersonce dreamed a long dream.”

-Matsuo Basho

“The blind musicianextending an old tin cupcollects a snowflake.”

-Nicholas Virgilio

“An old silent ponda frog jumps into the pond,splash! Silence again.”

-Matsuo Basho

What Is Tanka Poetry?

Another form of early Japanese poetry.

Again is typically written about nature.

Is crafted around a similar line pattern as the Haiku poem, except it has 2 additional lines.

The pattern is:

5 syllables7 syllables5 syllables7 syllables7 syllables

Tanka Poems

“Droplets fall softlyPuddle forms with water dropsPing and patter soundFresh scent of rain fills the airSpring arrives with great beauty.”

“Beautiful mountainsRivers with cold, cold water.White cold snow on rocksTrees over the place with frostWhite sparkly snow everywhere.”

“The leaves change colourWhen the fall winds start to blow,Yellow, orange and brownAre the colours of fall leaves,Slowly falling from the trees.”

Homework

Read page 436 from the textbook for class tomorrow!!

Project

Assignment details handed out in class.

Overall though, you are creating a book of poetry. It should be creative, colorful, and a representation of your understanding Haiku and Tanka poetry. 3 Haiku poems

2 Tanka poems

Corresponding image with each poem

Front cover containing an image of nature, and set up in MLA front page format!

Back cover which can be plainly a sheet of construction paper.

Your original poems!