As writers for children, we are way more than simple wordsmiths. Like Navy Seals – we are a nimble unit that molds young minds and constructs new worlds through engaging and compelling storytelling…
Except when we aren’t.
Sometimes, the glimmer of an idea is there but we can’t quite see it through the fog in our heads. Other times, the idea is clear as day, but there are too many layers to it. And then there are moments where everything falls into place, but we’ve exceeded the word count in the most frustrating way.
Question: What to do?
Answer: Haiku! (And on that note – do you?)
Haiku is a Japanese non-rhyming poem written in just seventeen syllables: five in the first line, seven in the second and then five in the last. Haiku often describe something from nature, but they don’t have to. The idea is to use the first two lines to write about what you see, and the third line to give insight about the topic. Here’s a riddle haiku for you:
Dressed in red and black
I dance from lily to rose
I am a lady
Haiku are beautiful because of their ability to paint such vivid pictures in so few words. And using haiku to pare down a complex idea is the ultimate exercise in economical thought and writing. It forces you to identify the essential information and to isolate it so you can move forwards more easily.
Try it! It’s fun and effective and once you haiku, you’ll never look back.
Margaret is hosting Poetry Friday this week at Reflections on the Teche
(Answer: ladybird, obvs)
I love haiku! We use it with our ESL students to teach them how to take an idea from their native language and simplify what they want to say before they try it in English.
Excellent idea! Haiku aren’t just beautiful and fun to write, but versatile too. I think the way you use it to help your ESL students is basically the same thing as I’ve suggested here for writers: make it simple to find your way through.
Yes, haiku always helps when words elude me! Thank you!
It’s a little magical, isn’t it?
You’re right, down to the essence of what one wishes to show. It can be wonderful to read to see what others think about something.
That’s exactly it – just the essence. And yes, I love haiku because they’re little glimpses into how other people see the world.
Love reading and writing haiku! Thanks for the tip to use it when I’m stuck on a longer work.
You’re welcome!
Nice to meet you, Lou. Your riddle haiku is a fun one. Like a puzzle it has a myster to uncover.
Nice to meet you too! I love riddle haiku for kids. They add a little fun to lure them in…