When some people say that please be reminded that a 'Haiku' is not only 5/7/5 syllablic but also must be about nature, then becomes necessary to discuss it in modern contexts. The prevalence of the subject must be accepted in changing times. Currently, haiku are being written in many languages of the world. In Hindi, haiku are being written on each & every subject/topic. There is always the possibility of experimentation in poetry.
You may agree or disagree. Your concept may be different or the same. In this context, I am a bit liberal. You can argue with a disagreement that for example the sonnet has its format rules. Yet many break from the norm. The same happens in 'haiku' which is Japanese in origin. A haiku is a haiku...it has its rules. So I want to say that It is up to you how you accept it. What do we take from tradition and what we can do new. I have clarified my opinion. A haiku is a haiku, but now Haiku is much more powerful and has much more diversity than before. We should be progressive. I think, this is a must for modern poetry.
Although the word Senryu is also used for haiku for subjects other than nature, but under the same format, In modern era there is no justification for different names on the basis of subject only, while other things are the same. Haiku is currently being written in several formats (on the basis of syllables count). Means It can be said that in modern poetry many types of relaxation have been taken in the format. This is the motion of time. We have to accept change with time. Modern poetry supports it. In such a situation, if the subject has expanded in the process of writing haiku, then we should accept it without hesitation.
© Dr. Shailesh Gupta Veer
editorsgveer@gmail.com
