Short and sharp: write your truth in haikus · Haikus are very short, non-rhyming poems. They were...

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Key stage 2 www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk In poetry, truth A National Poetry Day resource created by Usborne Usborne is the UK’s leading specialist children’s book publisher: an independent, family business which creates engaging, innovative, accessible books for children of all ages. This exercise is taken from Write Your Own Poems by Jeremy Martin. Short and sharp: write your truth in haikus Not all poems have to rhyme. Haikus are very short, non-rhyming poems. They were invented hundreds of years ago in Japan, and are still wrien today. A haiku is usually three lines long. Here is an example: This late summer night the narrow new moon swims up: an octopus eye. Its first line has five syllables, the second has seven syllables, and the third has five – making a total of 17 syllables. Haikus traditionally include at least one word or phrase that refers to a season or time of year. This part of the haiku is known as a kigo. Snow deepens outside. Sleepy student, wakeful mouse – both nibble their books. In this haiku, “snow deepens” is a kigo. It shows that the poem takes place in the wintertime. Turn over for a list of kigos you could use in poems about the seasons.

Transcript of Short and sharp: write your truth in haikus · Haikus are very short, non-rhyming poems. They were...

Page 1: Short and sharp: write your truth in haikus · Haikus are very short, non-rhyming poems. They were invented hundreds of years ago in Japan, and are still written today. A haiku is

Key stage 2

www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk

In poetry, truth A National Poetry Day resource created by Usborne

Usborne is the UK’s leading specialist children’s book publisher: an independent, family business which creates engaging, innovative, accessible books for children of all ages. This exercise is taken from Write Your Own Poems by Jeremy Martin.

Short and sharp: write your truth in haikusNot all poems have to rhyme. Haikus are very short, non-rhyming poems. They were invented hundreds of years ago in Japan, and are still written today.A haiku is usually three lines long. Here is an example:

This late summer nightthe narrow new moon swims up:an octopus eye.

Its first line has five syllables, the second has seven syllables, and the third has five – making a total of 17 syllables.Haikus traditionally include at least one word or phrase that refers to a season or time of year. This part of the haiku is known as a kigo.

Snow deepens outside.Sleepy student, wakeful mouse –both nibble their books.

In this haiku, “snow deepens” is a kigo. It shows that the poem takes place in the wintertime.Turn over for a list of kigos you could use in poems about the seasons.

Page 2: Short and sharp: write your truth in haikus · Haikus are very short, non-rhyming poems. They were invented hundreds of years ago in Japan, and are still written today. A haiku is

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In Poetry, Truth

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Find even more information and inspiration www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk

You could use some of these kigos in your poems.

AUTUMNAL WORDSMistMigrating geeseHaystacksFalling chestnutsHarvest moonLingering duskPumpkinsCrisp airSpider websMushroom gatheringRed and yellow leavesBonfiresLamplight

WINTERY WORDSBare branchesLost mittensHolly leavesIciclesFrozen streamsWithered fieldsGingerbreadRunny nosesFrosted windowsBlizzardFireplaceIce skatesFresh snow

SPRING WORDSFoalsMudDaffodilsBluebellsFlying kitesSpring rainCherry blossomsRacing lambsGreen budsThawing iceFlooding streamsSparrows twittering

SUMMERY WORDSWatermelonsBare feetShort nightsFireworksThunderstormsCicadasBillowing cloudsShady treesMowing grassSwimming poolsSunflowersHot afternoonsMosquitos

Write your own haikus and share them with us on National Poetry Day using #NationalPoetryDay and #MyNPDPoem