This week: Haibun: The Beauty of Prose and Haiku Edited by: Jayngle Bells  
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If you’ve been around a while, you likely know I’m not great at form poetry. There are some types I enjoy and do moderately well with, like the Etheree . When I tackle others, like iambic pentameter , it should come with a warning that the contents may not be fit for human consumption.
So, when I find a form I enjoy working with and want to learn more about it, you all get to learn about it, too. Today, we're diving into Haibun.
What Is a Haibun?
Created by Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō, a haibun is a poetic form from Japan, uniquely combining prose and haiku. The prose component is typically autobiographical and vividly descriptive, placing the reader in a present moment as if it's happening live. Unlike flash fiction or personal diaries, it doesn’t use the conventions of fictional narratives and subjective reflection, instead aiming for a more objective, observational tone. The haibun is defined by its dual structure: a prose poem followed by a haiku that enriches the text with either a resounding echo of its themes or a complete juxtaposition of what the narrator just said.
Any haibun can be a single paragraph or many paragraphs followed by the haiku; contemporary poets may opt for varied structures.
Matsuo Bashō’s most famous work in this style is The Narrow Road to the Deep North .
Purpose of the Haiku in Haibun
The haiku in a haibun isn’t simply sticking a random three-line poem at the end. It pivots from the prose, summarizing key sentiments or highlighting poignant moments. It shifts the reader's thinking—from following a narrative to a single vivid, encapsulated image. It may complement the poem’s key theme or juxtapose a related thought. Either choice allows the haiku to amplify or reflect upon the prose, challenging the reader to explore the subtle nuances between the two parts.
Why Write a Haibun?
Writing a haibun offers a unique combination of narrative richness and concentrated intensity of haiku. It lets you capture fleeting moments and profound experiences with crisp clarity and emotional depth. This form is particularly appealing for its ability to convey travel experiences, memories, or everyday observations with an immediacy and lyrical gracefulness that you don’t always get with flash fiction or traditional diaries.
Five Basic Criteria of a Haibun
Just like free-form poetry, the flexibility of the haibun doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all. There are some basic components that make a haibun a haibun. They are:
 Integration of Prose and Haiku: Both elements must coexist, with the haiku enhancing or reflecting on the prose. Without the haiku, you have a story (if you’re lucky) or a vignette (which is not unlucky).
Autobiographical and Personal: The prose should reflect personal experiences or observations. However, contemporary haibun does push the margins. It’s best to start with the primary type and move up to those boundaries.
Descriptive Prose: It should prioritize vivid, clear descriptions without relying on overt poetic devices such as metaphors or similes. This doesn’t mean they can’t be used, but remember that the prose is just that: prose.
Subtlety in Connection: The linkage between the prose and haiku should invite interpretation without being overly explicit or obscure.
Contemporary Relevance: Like modern haiku, haibun should often reflect recent events or personal insights, though it can also explore historical narratives or imagined scenarios. Again, I suggest starting with the former and working your way up to the latter, but full disclosure: I’ve already broken this advice, so—I’m just the messenger.
The Concept of Aware in Haibun
In the realm of haibun, the concept of aware (pronounced ah-WAR-ay) is critical. Aware embodies the deep, often melancholic observation or appreciation of the transient beauty and sadness inherent in moments passing. The prose and haiku within a haibun aim to capture this fleeting beauty, highlighting life's ephemeral nature and stirring a reflective, emotional response from the reader. This layer of depth adds a timeless quality to the haibun, inviting an almost meditative element for the reader.
This does not mean all haibun must be about beautiful things. Many contemporary artists capture life’s more difficult moments . The point is it should still have the same effect.
Traditional Haibun
Traditional haibun often chronicled journeys or the changing seasons, blending sharp observational detail with philosophical insight. These pieces were structured with prose leading into one or several concluding haiku, each element echoing and enriching the other. Traditional haibun is still written today and keeps elements of nature at its core.
Contemporary Haibun
Contemporary haibun expands on the traditional form by incorporating a wider range of themes and styles, including humor, fantasy, and more experimental structures . Modern haibun may vary the placement of haiku, interspersing them within the prose to create different rhythms and narrative dynamics. The prose itself tends to be more clipped, with the narrative structure mimicking the haiku’s brevity and focus . This is not always the case; the traditional narrative style can be adapted to tackle different themes and ideas.
Haiku Is a Separate Learning Experience
While critically linked to the haibun, haiku is a separate poetry form to master. Modern English-language haiku often drops the traditional 5-7-5 syllable structure, favoring a briefer, more flexible approach. Learning to craft haiku involves understanding its core principles—such as the focus on nature, a moment of revelation, and the use of concise language—which enrich the haibun when skillfully combined with the prose.
Give It a Try!
My slightly bordering-on-obsessive interest in Haibun started out as an interest in Haiku when it was revealed to me the 5-7-5 isn’t a hard rule (don’t start; I will die on this hill ). I still have a long way to go with the form because it’s so deceiving. It’s a lot harder than it looks to get it right.
But after many attempts at Haibun over the course of the month, I have two I quite like: my send-off to the Games of Thrones writing contest and my mice on the Titanic.
I encourage you to try the form, whether you enjoy traditional or contemporary styles (or play with both!). There’s no limit to how you can play with it, provided it sticks to the basic concepts. Versions of Haibun, like The Burning Haibun, even differ from what I’ve presented here.
So, go ahead and give it a shot! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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Poetry: June 19, 2024 Issue [#12536]
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