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Terrible Haiku, Pardon the Mundane: An Exploration of the Bad and the Ugly in Haiku Poetry

Tom Hayes

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Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that is traditionally written in three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line. Haiku often focus on nature or the seasons, and they often use imagery and metaphor to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

However, not all haiku are created equal. Some haiku are truly beautiful and evocative, while others are simply bad. In this article, we will explore some of the worst haiku ever written. We will also discuss the reasons why these haiku are so bad, and we will offer some tips on how to write better haiku.

Terrible Haiku: Pardon The Mundane

by Anton Chekhov

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	33019 KB
Print length	:	181 pages
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What Makes a Haiku Bad?

There are many things that can make a haiku bad. Some of the most common mistakes include:

Using clichés or overused imagery. Clichés are phrases or images that have been used so often that they have become trite and boring. For example, the phrase "the sun rises in the east" is a cliché that has been used in countless haiku. When you use clichés in your haiku, you are not saying anything new or original.
Not using vivid imagery. Haiku are all about creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind. If your haiku does not use vivid imagery, then it will not be very effective. For example, the haiku "the sun rises" is not very effective because it does not create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. However, the haiku "the sun rises, casting golden rays upon the sleeping earth" is much more effective because it uses vivid imagery to create a picture in the reader's mind.
Not using metaphor or symbolism. Metaphor and symbolism are two powerful tools that can be used to add depth and meaning to your haiku. When you use metaphor or symbolism, you are saying something about the world in a new and unexpected way. For example, the haiku "the sun rises, a golden egg in the sky" uses metaphor to compare the sun to a golden egg. This comparison creates a new and unexpected way of looking at the sun.
Not following the traditional haiku form. Haiku are traditionally written in three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line. If you do not follow the traditional haiku form, then your haiku will not be considered a true haiku.

Examples of Bad Haiku

Now that we have discussed some of the things that can make a haiku bad, let's take a look at some examples of bad haiku:

The sun rises
The birds are singing
The flowers are blooming

These haiku are all bad because they use clichés, overused imagery, and they do not use metaphor or symbolism. They also do not follow the traditional haiku form.

How to Write Better Haiku

If you want to write better haiku, then you need to avoid the mistakes that we have discussed in this article. Here are some tips on how to write better haiku:

Use vivid imagery. When you write haiku, try to use vivid imagery to create a picture in the reader's mind. For example, instead of writing "the sun rises," you could write "the sun rises, casting golden rays upon the sleeping earth."
Use metaphor or symbolism. Metaphor and symbolism can add depth and meaning to your haiku. When you use metaphor or symbolism, you are saying something about the world in a new and unexpected way.
Follow the traditional haiku form. Haiku are traditionally written in three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line.

Writing good haiku is not easy. It takes practice and patience. However, if you follow the tips in this article, you will be well on your way to writing better haiku.

Thank you for reading!

Terrible Haiku: Pardon The Mundane

by Anton Chekhov

5 out of 5