A haiku is a traditional Japanese form of poetry that captures a single moment or feeling in exactly seventeen syllables, arranged in three lines: five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. A classic haiku might describe a frog jumping into a pond, cherry blossoms falling, or moonlight on snow.

The art of haiku is about noticing small, beautiful things in nature and expressing them simply. Instead of explaining feelings directly, haiku poets show a scene and let readers discover the feeling for themselves. When you see autumn leaves swirling in the wind or hear rain tapping on your window, you're experiencing the kind of moment a haiku tries to capture.

Writing haiku teaches you to pay attention and choose words carefully. Every syllable counts, so you can't waste space on unnecessary words. Many students find haiku easier to start with than longer poems because the strict structure gives you a clear framework. The challenge is finding something meaningful to say in such a small space, like fitting a whole painting into a postcard.

In Japanese, haiku traditionally include a kigo (a seasonal word) and a cutting word that creates a pause or shift. In English, haiku often focus on the syllable pattern and the spirit of observation.