A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Write a Haiku & Get the Kids Writing Too!

Aside

Let nature inspire you…

Our rock garden at the Farmstead is singing. The columbine were so glorious this season they inspired me to write “The Choral Debut,”  a haiku (Japanese-inspired, non-rhyming three-line: 5-7-5 syllable poem). I hope The Choral Debut inspires you to get outdoors and let nature sing its songs to you. 

The Choral Debut

HAIKU by Bette A. Stevens

Rising with the sun

Pristine perennials join

The choral début

I enjoy designing  posters to go with my poems and often use photos I have taken. As a former teacher (now retired) in grades four through eight, I’ve learned that kids of all ages love writing poetry and like me, they enjoy illustrating their poems too. It’s simple and it’s so much fun to tell a story in the three short lines of Haiku. Of course, you can write as many stanzas as you wish. I invite you to give it a try. In fact, I’m working on a Maine haiku collection that sings of the seasons. 

Don’t be shy. Grab a pen and paper, get outdoors, get inspired…and get the kids writing haiku too!

~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

(Haiku: m)

haiku

noun hai·ku \ˈhī-(ˌ)kü\

plural

haiku

  1. :  an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively; also :  a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference — compare tanka

See haiku defined for English-language learners

See haiku defined for kids

Discover more about how to write haiku and other poetry:

[Explore Bette’s Blog]

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Written

on 06/20/2018

Comments on: "Write a Haiku & Get the Kids Writing Too!" (62)

  1. dgkaye said:
    07/18/2018 at 8:23 pm

    This was beautiful Bette, the haiku, the beautiful image and the message to inspire creativity in children. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. said:
    07/18/2018 at 4:24 am

    Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    Most of us have sunny days at the moment but during the school holidays it can be a problem keeping the children occupied when it is raining.. here is something for a rainy day courtesy of Bette Stevens.. and it will encourage a new generation of poets…#Haiku

    Liked by 2 people

  4. macjam47 said:
    06/25/2018 at 7:49 pm

    Oh, my goodness, your columbine are gorgeous and your haiku pairs perfectly with them. You always post such lovely surprises for your fellow bloggers, Bette. Love and hugs. 💗💗💗

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      06/25/2018 at 9:08 pm

      Thanks so much for your lovely words, Michelle. ❤ Wishing you sunshine and roses… Our roses are sensational right now. It's been a glorious garden season and we're finally getting some much needed rain, but the sun will come out tomorrow… Blessings and love! xoxo

      Liked by 1 person

  5. noelleg44 said:
    06/25/2018 at 2:20 pm

    Wish I’d had you around earlier when my kids were young, Bette! Such a good teacher!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Baydreamer said:
    06/25/2018 at 10:40 am

    Beautiful pairing of haiku and photo, Bette. The colors are gorgeous! 💗🌼🌷

    Liked by 1 person

  7. cathleentownsend said:
    06/23/2018 at 10:02 am

    Lovely piece–and I agree that integrating the words into a visual, like you have, greatly enhances the meaning. Love your pic of columbine. Mine is blooming, too. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  8. teawithjennifer said:
    06/23/2018 at 2:43 am

    You are so inspiring Bette, I have written a poetry post this week from your inspiration! ♥
    Jennifer

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Marje @ Kyrosmagica said:
    06/22/2018 at 5:42 am

    Great idea thanks for sharing Bette. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Tina Frisco said:
    06/21/2018 at 8:23 pm

    Beautiful Haiku and gorgeous photo, Bette. I’m so inspired! ❤️

    Like

  11. jjspina said:
    06/21/2018 at 7:09 pm

    Nicely done, Bette. Hugs xx

    Like

  12. Annette Rochelle Aben said:
    06/21/2018 at 10:16 am

    Lovely! Shared and appreciated. Happy Summer to you and yours 🙂

    Like

  13. Annika Perry said:
    06/21/2018 at 9:23 am

    Beautiful, Bette! I love the idea of the ‘choral debut’ … your poem exquisitely presented along with the flowers. A delightful and heartwarming post. ❤️

    Like

  14. -Eugenia said:
    06/21/2018 at 9:04 am

    Reblogged this on BrewNSpew and commented:
    Sharing haiku and her own created image by Bette A. Stevens-

    Like

  15. -Eugenia said:
    06/21/2018 at 9:02 am

    Beautiful haiku, Bette, and what a lovely image. Creating your own image makes the piece all that more enjoyable. Reblogging.

    Like

  17. Janet Givens said:
    06/20/2018 at 9:59 pm

    Wait a min!
    You’re in Maine but your
    Columbine
    has Bloomed already?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      06/21/2018 at 1:58 pm

      Bloomed gloriously for three weeks and now the Tiger Lilies are nearly ready to sing a summer song… The procession of the perennials never ceases to amaze! Hard to believe that spring is past and summer commences today. ❤ The gardens look lovely, but we are sorely in need of rain. Wishing you a blessed and beautiful summer, Janet! xo

      Like

  18. Natalie Ducey said:
    06/20/2018 at 8:53 pm

    Lovely, Bette, as always! XO

    Liked by 1 person

  19. sjhigbee said:
    06/20/2018 at 7:44 pm

    What a beautiful haiku, Bette:))

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Jacqui Murray said:
    06/20/2018 at 5:45 pm

    There is something eminently doable about writing a haiku. Not so with epic poetry or so many other poem genres.

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      06/20/2018 at 7:59 pm

      Haiku is among my favorites and its amazing what kids will come up with when exploring the great outdoors. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by to chat, Jacqui! xo

      Like

  21. Jill Weatherholt said:
    06/20/2018 at 3:04 pm

    Beautiful Bette!

    Like

  22. delphini510 said:
    06/20/2018 at 2:37 pm

    How can I but smile with such a choral debut.
    Beauty in colour and words.

    Miriam

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      06/20/2018 at 5:25 pm

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful note, Miriam. After our long Maine winters, perennial spring and summer blooms dance and shout rejuvenation in lovely succession. ❤ Oh the wonders… Blessings and love in every season, my friend. xo

      Like

  23. watchingthedaisies said:
    06/20/2018 at 1:44 pm

    Such a beautiful haiku to match those lovely blooms. 🌼

    Liked by 1 person

  24. robbiesinspiration said:
    06/20/2018 at 1:25 pm

    Very nice haiku, Bette. It really cheered up my day.

    Like

  25. D. Wallace Peach said:
    06/20/2018 at 12:54 pm

    Beautiful, Bette. It certainly is a glorious time of year. Happy Solstice!

    Like

  26. balroop2013 said:
    06/20/2018 at 11:37 am

    Beautiful Haiku and I always admire your presentation, which gives extra charm to words. 🙂 Keep inspiring dear friend. 🙂

    Like

  27. Gayl said:
    06/20/2018 at 11:35 am

    I love the colorful photo and the haiku, too! Such beauty makes me smile! Blessings to you, dear sister! xo

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Linda Mims said:
    06/20/2018 at 11:06 am

    Lovely, Bette. 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

  29. D.L Finn, Author said:
    06/20/2018 at 10:44 am

    Love your Haiku and how you presented it with the beautiful flowers. Great lesson on getting kids and adults involved in writing one!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      06/20/2018 at 8:38 pm

      Thanks for stopping by for a visit today, Denise. 🙂 Kids love to get out and explore their world and write about it and summer is a great time for us to get out there and join them. Wishing you and yours a lovely summer, my friend. xo

      Like

  30. Mae Clair said:
    06/20/2018 at 10:32 am

    Lovely, Bette. I remember my favorite exercises in school were those that involved writing and art together.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      06/20/2018 at 9:05 pm

      Thank you, Mae. My favorites were writing + art projects too… I suppose that’s why my students wrote and illustrated stories, poems, even book reports and we shared them with one another. One year, we published individual poetry books and had a “Poets on Parade” performance video taped and rolling during our open house. After that, I put together class books each year that included everyone’s featured stories and poems. Oh, so much talent and sheer joy for me as teacher… Thanks for jogging those marvelous memories, Mae! ❤ Blessings and love… xo

      Liked by 1 person

      • Mae Clair said:
        06/21/2018 at 12:57 pm

        Wow. You really brought out the best in your students, Bette. I’m sure many still remember all of those amazing projects fondly!

        Like

Leave a reply to Linda Mims Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Tag Cloud