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fandomhigh2005-11-02 03:08 pm
geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2005-11-02 03:08 pm
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Creative Writing: Poetry, Lesson Two
Wednesday, November 2, 7:00PM FST
[Upon entering the room, students will notice that Professor Chaucer is seated at his desk, staring blankly out the window. Once several students have arrived, his attention is drawn to the class and he begins the lecture. His voice is rather softer than usual and he seem distracted.]
Today we'll discuss the haiku.
Haiku is one of the most important modes of Japanese poetry, a late 19th century revision by Masaoka Shiki of the old hokku, the opening verse of a linked verse form, haikai no renga. A traditional hokku consists of a pattern of approximately 5, 7, and 5 phonetic units which only loosely correspond to the syllables of Western languages.
While traditional hokku focused on nature and the place of humans in nature, modern haiku poets often consider any subject matter suitable, whether related to nature, an urban setting, or even a technological context. Where the old hokku avoided some topics such as romance, sex, and overt violence, contemporary haiku often deals specifically with such themes.
The old hokku required a long period of learning and maturing, but the new haiku is an "instant" form of brief verse that can be written by anyone from child to professional. Though conservative writers of modern haiku still keep closer to the old standards of hokku (some even using the traditional kigo or season word), the majority of present-day writers have dropped virtually all of the traditional standards, emphasizing personal freedom and pursuing ongoing experimentation, exploration and innovation in both form and subject matter.
Because of the great number of different views and practices today, it is impossible to characterize any current single style or format or subject matter as definitive "haiku." The term has broadened greatly in modern usage to cover any short verse descended in spirit from the reforms of Shiki. Nonetheless, some of the more common practices are:
1. Use of three lines written in five-seven-five English syllables;
2. Use of three (or fewer) lines of no more than 17 syllables in total;
3. Use of metrical feet rather than syllables. A haiku then becomes three lines of 2, 3, and 2 metrical feet, with a break or pause after the second or fifth;
4. Use of the "one deep breath" rule: the reader should be able to read the haiku aloud without taking a second breath.
Two examples of haiku:
The first soft snow!
Enough to bend the leaves
Of the jonquil low.
through the fingerprints
on my window-
cloudless blue sky.
The first is an example of traditional Japanese haiku, translated of course. The second is a more modern English-language composition.
In-Class Assignment: Write your own haiku.
***Assignment for Next Week: Continue reading Canzoniere. Choose one poem from the collection to bring to class next week -- be prepared to present your interpretation of the poem to the class.***
[Upon entering the room, students will notice that Professor Chaucer is seated at his desk, staring blankly out the window. Once several students have arrived, his attention is drawn to the class and he begins the lecture. His voice is rather softer than usual and he seem distracted.]
Today we'll discuss the haiku.
Haiku is one of the most important modes of Japanese poetry, a late 19th century revision by Masaoka Shiki of the old hokku, the opening verse of a linked verse form, haikai no renga. A traditional hokku consists of a pattern of approximately 5, 7, and 5 phonetic units which only loosely correspond to the syllables of Western languages.
While traditional hokku focused on nature and the place of humans in nature, modern haiku poets often consider any subject matter suitable, whether related to nature, an urban setting, or even a technological context. Where the old hokku avoided some topics such as romance, sex, and overt violence, contemporary haiku often deals specifically with such themes.
The old hokku required a long period of learning and maturing, but the new haiku is an "instant" form of brief verse that can be written by anyone from child to professional. Though conservative writers of modern haiku still keep closer to the old standards of hokku (some even using the traditional kigo or season word), the majority of present-day writers have dropped virtually all of the traditional standards, emphasizing personal freedom and pursuing ongoing experimentation, exploration and innovation in both form and subject matter.
Because of the great number of different views and practices today, it is impossible to characterize any current single style or format or subject matter as definitive "haiku." The term has broadened greatly in modern usage to cover any short verse descended in spirit from the reforms of Shiki. Nonetheless, some of the more common practices are:
1. Use of three lines written in five-seven-five English syllables;
2. Use of three (or fewer) lines of no more than 17 syllables in total;
3. Use of metrical feet rather than syllables. A haiku then becomes three lines of 2, 3, and 2 metrical feet, with a break or pause after the second or fifth;
4. Use of the "one deep breath" rule: the reader should be able to read the haiku aloud without taking a second breath.
Two examples of haiku:
The first soft snow!
Enough to bend the leaves
Of the jonquil low.
through the fingerprints
on my window-
cloudless blue sky.
The first is an example of traditional Japanese haiku, translated of course. The second is a more modern English-language composition.
In-Class Assignment: Write your own haiku.
***Assignment for Next Week: Continue reading Canzoniere. Choose one poem from the collection to bring to class next week -- be prepared to present your interpretation of the poem to the class.***
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