Layout

In Japan, sometimes haiku is written as one continuous vertical line, sometimes two or three vertical lines. An arrangement of vertical lines is in harmony with the Japanese language. In English, it is gimmicky.

But one long horizontal line doesn't usually suit English haiku, that is, haiku that are written in the English language. So, English haiku are arranged (typically) in three lines. But if you need to break up the lines a bit differently, that is OK, too.

There is nothing sacred about the rule of three lines. It is not the only acceptable layout.

Sometimes I need to move the lines around in order to arrange them onto my artwork. But the poems are still haiku. And of course, I spent many years working strictly within the 5-7-5 guidelines.

Someone once said you have to know the rules, to know how to break them. And that's true. You have to know the rules well enough, through practice, to understand intuitively when tweaking them honors the spirit 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.

Ameriku® is the registered trademark of Ameriku Ltd. When you see the Ameriku® trademark, you can be sure the work meets my high standards of quality.