The Haikai Challenge
Summary: Write a 36-line poem using only stanzas with 5/7/5 or 7/7 syllable structures, with thw first stanza being 5/7/5 and the last stanza being 7/7. See the Description for a more detailed explanation.
How to enter: Submit your entry by posting it as a reply to this topic. Please place your poem within a spoiler.
Description: Today's event involves writing a modified version of a little-known form called the haikai.
So what are haikai? Haikai are 36-verse humorous poems that deal directly with irony, wordplay (especially puns), and incongruities. There are two types of stanzas used in haikai: 5/7/5 and 7/7. The first stanza is always in the 5/7/5 form while the last stanza is always in the 7/7 form.
For the purposes of this event, we'll be going by line and syllable counts.
Thus the syllable
count of your first lines should match
with this example
while the last two lines should have
just seven syllables each.
So why does the name "haikai" look so much like "haiku"? Because haiku, and the other related forms like senryuu and zappai, are derived from the first stanza of haikai!
Haikai, in turn, are derived from an even older poetic form, but that's a story for another time. ;P Now that you know what a haikai is, it's time to move on to...
The (Modified) Haikai Requirements
- The topic must be humorous in nature
- First stanza has to be 5/7/5
- Last stanza has to be 7/7
- The rest of the stanzas must be a mix of 5/7/5 and 7/7
- 36 lines total (because 36 stanzas is a bit much for a one-day event)
- Keep it family-friendly/adhere to the general event rules
Otherwise, there are no other restrictions, so feel free to get creative!
Entries should be posted in this thread, underneath a spoiler. If you've never used spoilers before, simply copy the code below and place your modified haikai into the HAIKAI HERE position:
- Code: Select all
[spoiler]HAIKAI HERE[/spoiler]
Remember to keep all questions and discussions in the DT, and don't forget to have fun!
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