How to Write a Senryu Poem

A senryu poem is a Japanese poem, similar to a haiku in its simple construction. The senryu poem is a poem featuring three lines of unrhymed poetry. Although you could write a poem of several stanzas with each stanza written as a senryu poem, a true senryu will feature only a single three-line stanza. The subject matter of senryus are often satirical or ironic and based on human nature. The senryu, despite its simplicity, can be challenging to write.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper

Instructions

1. Title your senryu poem. Human nature is the subject matter of a senryu. Find a title that clearly indicates what the poem will be about. If it is about human greed, title the poem "Greed." Single-word titles can be blunt and effectively capture the subject.

2. Write the first line of the poem with five syllables. An example opening for the poem titled "Greed" might be:

   Money is the root

3. Write a line of seven syllables for the next line. Do not rhyme this line with the first. An example second line to the first line above:

   But humans plant the seeds of

   Add variation to your senryu by using irony, metaphor or even something satirical or humorous. While the subject matter is human nature, this doesn't mean everything needs to be dark or serious.

4. Write a third line of five syllables. An example, continuing from the examples above:

   Evil money brings

   Do not rhyme this line with any of the other lines. Keep the subject matter as human nature, follow the syllable patterns, and keep to a three-line count. This will allow you a wide spectrum from which to create your senryu poems.

References

• Education Helper: Senryu Worksheet
• Shadow Poetry: Senryu and Haiku Poetry