Defintion

(Hokku)A Japanese poem composed of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables, usually about some form of nature.

Example

An example of classic hokku by Bashô:

an old pond—

the sound of a frog jumping

into water

Another Bashô classic:

the first cold shower;

even the monkey seems to want

a little coat of straw.

Defintion

A traditional form for English poetry, commonly used for epic and narrative poetry; it refers to poems constructed from a sequence of rhyming pairs of iambic pentameter lines.

Example

A frequently-cited example illustrating the use of heroic couplets is this passage from Cooper's Hill by John Denham, part of his description of the Thames:

O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream

My great example, as it is my theme!

Though deep, yet clear, though gentle, yet not dull,

Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full.