What are the rules in composing a Haiku? (aside from the syllable count)
The simple answer is that if Haiku is not about nature, it is called Senryu. I've heard different views on whether the Japanese definition is different than the non-Japanese ones, and whether the syllable counts can differ.
There seems to be some subjectivity on definitions, in English poetry at least. I think the following is Senryu, but you could make a case for it being Haiku:
Bugs fall like rain upon my code
compiler shrieks like the wind
Blue Screen
The idea of a haiku in English doesn't really make that much sense. First of all, you might want to note that the whole idea of seventeen syllables is a bogus one. A Japanese haiku consists of seventeen moras (beats) rather than seventeen syllables. E.g. Tokyo ("To-u-kyo-u" in Japanese) is four moras but two syllables. A haiku should have seventeen of these moras, not seventeen syllables.
One rule I can think of is that traditionally Japanese haiku had to start with a "seasonal word" ("kigo" in Japanese). But there are no "seasonal words" in English. Nowadays the haiku printed on tea cans in Japan don't have seasonal words so that is purely a traditional arrangement.
Use the first two lines
To establish the context;
Then go for the kill.
I adhere to the 5-7-5 syllable scheme, because... well, I was taught that when young and I'm too old to change. The key idea is "do not waste even a syllable".
So, my opinion is that:
- A haiku should Have 3 very short lines; personally, I'm stuck on 5-7-5.
- It should meld two discordant notions and
- Say something that has never been said before.
- Big bonus points if your second line applies clearly to both your first and your third lines, very cool.
- Topic doesn't matter. Be you.
This is my personal opinion, not a scholarly attempt to answer the question. I understand that in English, we can say a lot more in 17 syllables than they can in Japanese. Regardless, the idea is to say a lot with a little. Make the reader think.
poetic aspects
should fall gently, from the page
like leaves in autumn