Haiku is a poem of 17 syllables on three lines in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Haiku focuses on the seasons with images from Nature.

I had my students each write a haiku and the results were so lovely. Poet or not, try it yourself. Haiku provides good practice at curating your words so that each is there purposefully, holding meaning and depth.

I came across this elegant Japanese poem at the start of the November section in Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Simple Abundance daybook. While not technically haiku, it reads like one. Breathnach attributes the poem to an 18th century Japanese poet, Riei. Let this poem inspire you to choose each word with care.

All freezes again–
Among the pines, winds
whispering a prayer.