Haiku (俳句) is a form of Japanese poetry, consisting of 17 moras (or on), in three phrases of 5, 7, and 5 moras respectively.
Although haiku are often stated to have 17 syllables,this is inaccurate as syllables and moras are not the same. Haiku typically contain a kigo (seasonal reference), and a kireji (cutting word).
In Japanese, haiku are traditionally printed in a single vertical line and tend to take aspects of the natural world as their subject matter, while haiku in English often appear in three lines to parallel the three phrases of Japanese haiku and may deal with any subject matter.
Previously called hokku, haiku was given its current name by the Japanese writer Masaoka Shiki at the end of the 19th century.
Ex. Cloud floating is sky
blown by the softly fresh wind
through knowledge garden
By Eng'49
Amidst larger field
the golden grains seem ripe
farmer was harverest
By Eng'49
