Senryu or Haiku?
Blog Posted by
Debbie Guzzi: 2/21/2011 9:23:00 AM
The Difference Between Haiku and Senryu
Senryu in Japanese means "River Willow." It is the pen name of the most famous poet who conducted linking contests. His name is given to this genre as a dubious honor. The primary difference between haiku and senryu is the tone. Senryu is much more concerned with human nature, political issues, and satiric humor (making fun of things).
Unlike the haiku which normally deals with natural or seasonal phenomena, the senryu is expected to deal with matters of human and social nature, often in a playful, satirical, or knowing manner. The language of senryu is generally that of the common people, and is sometimes even vulgar.
The haiku carries a seasonal reference; the senryu does not have to. The haiku must have a KIREJI [cutting line or word causing juxtaposition between the two parts of the haiku] the senryu need not. The haiku used formal “highbrow” language the senryu uses the language of the common people.
A good senryu is not merely a knee-slapper, though it can be that. It's not just a showcase for puns or wit, although a good senryu can include cleverness or humor as part of a more resonant purpose. Rather, a senryu is a poem that wakes us up in a small way with its distilled, one-breath moment of heightened awareness focusing on human nature. It's a window into the human condition, freshly squeegeed. Senryu are, ultimately, poems of human self-awareness. They don't have to be funny, but often it is good to laugh at ourselves through senryu.
Such a poem typically has three lines and a total of about 10 to 14 syllables the arrangement of the syllables per line is less important than the content. Rhymes and titles are not necessary and in fact are likely to be counterproductive. The purpose is to convey an image, one with a wryly ironic twist.
hazy summer afternoon --
the smog-check mechanic
puffs a cigar
billboard lady
in a bikini --
three-car pileup
Try some in the comment section?? Strict 5/7/5 is NOT being required only short long short under 17...10-14 is even fine.