Photo by Andrea

Poetry | Senryu

Micromanagers — Not a Haiku

17 morae with 5–7–5 structure but called a “Senryu”

Micromanagers;
let command and control go
…people suffocate

Poetry and Art shouldn’t follow the rules, BUT

Before I write what a Senryu is and how many poets on Medium tag or categorise their Senryu as a Haiku, I want to say that I am a firm believer that rules can and should be broken, especially when writing poetry or creating art.

BUT, we ought to know what we are writing so that we categorise or classify our work correctively.

What is a Haiku

• A short form of Japanese poetry
• 17 morae
• 5–7–5 morae structure
• Is about nature
• Is often written in serious tone (and is not funny)

What is a Senryu

• Also a short form of Japanese poetry
• Also 17 morae
• Also 5–7–5 morae structure
• BUT, Is usually NOT about Nature — and written about human foibles (foible means shortcoming or flaw)
• Is often cynical or darkly humorous

So next time you publish 17 morae, ask yourself: “is it a Haiku or Senryu?”.