Japanese Poetry

A small poem can make a large space for attention. Japanese forms often do this with a brief scene, a seasonal detail, or two images placed side by side. English poems inspired by these forms can learn from that attention without pretending that syllable counting alone captures the tradition.

Start with haiku

Read the haiku guide, then try the short noticing exercise. Tanka gives the scene more room for feeling; senryu often notices the comedy or awkwardness of human life.