Wordplay: Crafting Spring Haiku

This poetry class will focus on the haiku form. The “hai” syllable in the word “haiku” connotes “play,” both in the sense of drama, or theatrics, and of recreation and enjoyment, or playfulness. Since “ku” denotes “word,” or “verbal component,” we will enjoy playing around with words in our haiku crafting process. To begin this enjoyable process, we will celebrate spring by reading seasonal haiku by the traditional Japanese masters of the form, such as Matsuo Basho, and by Japanese writers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, such as Masaoka Shiki and Mizuhara Shuoshi. Their inspiration, combined with writing prompts and activities, should lead to some interesting spring-themed haikus that we will share with each other for constructive feedback. Our goal is to produce some verses that celebrate the spring season and National Poetry Month.