Three lines. Seventeen syllables. One moment of awareness. The haiku originated in 17th-century Japan and remains one of the most practiced forms in the world — probably because anyone can write one in thirty seconds, but writing a good one takes a lifetime. Traditional haiku capture a seasonal image (the kigo) and include a cutting word (kireji) that creates a pause or shift between images.
Three lines. Seventeen syllables. One moment of awareness. The haiku originated in 17th-century Japan and remains one of the most practiced forms in the world — probably because anyone can write one in thirty seconds, but writing a good one takes a lifetime. Traditional haiku capture a seasonal image (the kigo) and include a cutting word (kireji) that creates a pause or shift between images.
Use our free poem generator to draft a 2. haiku in seconds. Edit, print, or share.
Try the Poem Generator →Three lines. Seventeen syllables. One moment of awareness. The haiku originated in 17th-century Japan and remains one of the most practiced forms in the world — probably because anyone can write one in thirty seconds, but writing a good one takes a lifetime. Traditional haiku capture a seasonal image (the kigo) and include a cutting word (kireji) that creates a pause or shift between images.
See the structure section above — line count, rhyme scheme, meter, and stanza requirements vary by form.
Start with the structural rules (line/syllable count, rhyme), then focus on imagery and emotional truth. Try our free poem generator for inspiration.