Haiku...general poetry dictionarys and form books describe it as being 5-7-5 poem. Many published poets who have written haiku, Octavio Paz, Eldridge Jeffers and others used just such a count.

Haiku means opening lines in Japanese. The Haiku was once exclusively part of the Waka or Tanka.

Many folk write haiku one, two or three lines. Many don't use counts, trying for essences. It is best, I think, to not worry about it. Write as you want to.

The basic rules are: There needs to be a reference to a season and nature. And an awakening in the final line.


Lark in newly green
oak tree, sings her poetry
and laughs at my clothes