About Haiku Poetry:
 Websters
Dictionary defines a Haiku poem as "A Japanese lyric poem of
a fixed 17 syllables form that often simply point to a thing or
pairing of things in nature that has moved the poet."Haiku originally came from a combination of ancient Japanese words meaning Hai -- amusement, and ku -- meaning verse. In its earliest form it was termed haikai and was meant as a rebellion against the traditional classical form of Japanese poetry called the waka. Waka poetry thrived from 761AD until the early part of the 16th century, and traditionally was composed of 5 lines 31 syllables (5-7-5-7-7). Classic waka poetry was highly influenced by Buddhist thought incorporating ideas of the passing of time, the ebb and flow of life, and the idea of impermanence. Waka poets were also keenly aware of the natural world, and many of their poems depict natural scenes. As the waka style of poetry begin to decline, become codified, and lose its vitality a new form of poetry came into being--- the Haiku. Originally created as a commoners poetic expression it was meant to deviate from the traditional, ordinary, confined spirit of the waka poetic style. Haiku poetry immediately became popular and in the 17th Century Haiku reached its full potential with the poems of the great Japanese Zen master Basho. Basho wrote of many subjects, but perhaps is best known for his poems on nature. As Basho set his vision on the natural world, he captured within the space of a few short syllables the universal pulse of nature, and the human perceptions of space and time. Basho was a prolific composer creating poems that were light and playful, but also poems that were deeply symbolic. Haiku continued to flourish until long after Basho's death and does so today with thousand of haiku poems being published in Japan and worldwide. Some of the best of the modern Haiku poems are published by poets from the English language. Great Haiku poetry has the ability to evoke powerful emotions within the space of a few short lines. Often there exist within the best Haiku poems, depths within depths, meanings within meanings. Great Haiku poetry within the power of a few poignant words can suggest and point to the amazing joys and sadness of life, and to the mystery of humanities place within the great circle of existence.
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