When considering

the haiku as poetry

shorter than the rest—

Remember this rule:

Syllables — five-seven-five

(Your own haiku test.)

Today, most haikus

Can be about anything

(Whatever looks best.)

Traditionally,

Haikus were about nature

(Before they came west.)

Haikus are supposed

To describe a moment where

The poet would rest.

When he took the time

To look around him and saw

A bird in its nest.

Basho was the king

Of haikus in his own time

(His poems were blest.)

You may disagree

With this new, longform haiku

Or find it a jest.

“That’s not how it’s done!”

You cry so indignantly

To stop my own test.

“You’re right,” I’ll admit.

“First, it’s not in Japanese

And rhyming, a pest.

However, it’s close

(Or closer) to Pound’s attempts

In the English quest.”

I might do better

To compare this haiku to

A red robin’s breast.

And if you think now

You’ve got a better haiku

Please, friend, be my guest.

Contact Lauren West at [email protected].