How to make haiku, Step 4

Step 4. Fine Tune

Now is the time to polish those words, to remove unwieldy phrases, to choose better verbs. In this step you fine tune the haiku.

Part of fine-tuning is counting syllables, and staying close to the limits of 5 syllables for the 1st line, 7 syllables for the 2nd line, and 5 syllables for the 3rd line.

While it is important to be brief and to follow the form where possible, meaning trumps form. If you need one extra syllable, and leaving it out makes the poem sound peculiar, then you put that extra syllable onto the page.

Often, the meaning does not demand that many words, or that many syllables. It's OK to go under the 5-7-5 syllabic count. You allow more empty space, you invite greater brevity, and you stay true to the essence of haiku.

My name is Rae Hallstrom, and Ameriku® is my art and my business and my brand. I hope you'll take a look (move cursor to title and click), and see if Ameriku® art suits your decor, or gift giving needs.

Ameriku Ltd produces nature-oriented art prints, posters, greeting cards and other items, based on my original haiku and photography.

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