Page 153 - English Tingkatan 1

Live Life to the Fullest CHAPTER 11

Haiku
A Haiku is a Japanese poem that can be written based on many themes. The poem
consists of 3 lines and 17 syllables.

First au-tumn mor-ning Line 1 (5 syllables)
The mir-ror I stare in-to Line 2 (7 syllables)
Shows my fa-ther’s face Line 3 (5 syllables)

A Haiku combines different syllables so that the poem
will become more interesting. Haiku is easy because it is What is a syllable? A syllable is a
not supposed to rhyme. set of one or more units of sound.
Read the following Haikus. One-syllable words:
cap, duck, sit, key
Towards those short trees. po-em, mu-sic, Mon-day, An-na
Two-syllable words:
We saw a hawk descending.
Three-syllable words:
On a day in spring. a-ma-zing, dan-ge-rous,
- Masaoka Shiki - for-e-ver, ho-li-day

In the twilight rain.
These brilliant-hued hibiscus
A lovely sunset
- Matsuo Basho -

An old silent pond…
A frog jumps into the pond.
Splash! Silence again.
- Matsuo Basho -

TASK 1 What are the Haikus mainly about?

TASK 2 Create a Haiku based on the objects you see in your school. You may
refer to the following details to guide you:

• Use present tense for your Haiku
• Use simple sentences
• Use personal experience to produce a realistic Haiku

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