A great haiku example can be as powerful for a filmmaker or designer as it is for a poet.

Haiku distills creativity to its essence—sharp observation, strong imagery, and honest emotion—in three brief lines.

Below, we’ve gathered 13 distinctive haiku example ideas tailored for creators who want to spark insight, refine their craft, or simply experience the art of minimalist expression from new perspectives.

1. The Old Pond by Matsuo Basho: Discovering Stillness in Everyday Moments

Every poetry student eventually encounters Basho’s iconic haiku. It didn’t get famous by accident. “The old pond / a frog leaps in / the sound of water.” Whether you’re crafting your first haiku or helping others find their focus, this haiku is a proven teacher.

Captures both action and stillness, setting a prime example with the sudden “splash” that interrupts total quiet.

Relied upon in workshops to illustrate how the senses—sight, sound, presence—can do the heavy lifting in a few short lines.

Introduces the concept of the kireji (cutting word) for sharp contrasts, key for triggering emotional response.

Regularly used as a mindfulness prompt: zero in on a single moment, and watch your awareness sharpen.

Stands out for its lean, 5-7-5 structure, making it a go-to reference for educators teaching haiku basics.

This is the classic haiku that shows you the power of one clear, vivid image over a pile of adjectives.

Want feedback on your haiku or share your take on Basho’s style? Upload it to WriteSeen—where minimalist poetry meets creative community.

2. “A Poppy Blooms” by Katsushika Hokusai: The Creative Process in Nature

Perfection never comes on the first try. That’s a message teachers, students, and creators of all kinds can grab onto. Hokusai’s “writing, erasing, / writing, / erasing, / changing my poem / a poppy blooms” celebrates the value of persistence.

Perfect for anyone tackling writer’s block, because it validates the messy, iterative path to great work.

Highlights patience, echoing the natural growth of a flower—relevant for creatives who need the reminder that real rewards take time.

Offers a high-impact way for poetry educators to help students see both the struggle and beauty in the creative process.

Encourages an embrace of imperfection which translates well for more than writing—visual artists, designers, and musicians will relate.

Shows students that even small edits or repeated attempts count as progress, building confidence.

Whether you teach writing or just want to keep your own process moving, you’ll find something fresh in this approach.

3. “The Light of a Candle” by Yosa Buson: Sharing Inspiration and Wisdom

You don’t lose by sharing your light. Buson’s “the light of a candle / is transferred to another candle— / spring twilight” makes that clear. In collaborative spaces, this poem belongs on the wall.

Reminds creators that giving support or feedback actually strengthens the whole group.

Useful in class discussions of metaphor or symbolism—students can spot how a tiny detail can represent a big concept.

Encourages a culture of collaboration among writers and artists, boosting creative morale.

Suitable for mentorship programs, as it models passing experience and insight to others.

Gives poetry students a positive, uplifting theme to anchor bigger discussions about influence and community.

Getting together sparks new ideas. One candle lighting another is energy in motion.

4. “A World of Dew” by Kobayashi Issa: Embracing Impermanence and Empathy

Issa’s work delivers clarity on hard topics with “a world of dew, / and within every dewdrop / a world of struggle.” Students dealing with heavy emotion or change often find this poem hits home.

Models subtle repetition—a surefire way for poetry learners to amplify emotional impact without being heavy-handed.

Brings the theme of impermanence right to the surface, resonating for anyone navigating grief or adversity.

Ideal fit for workshops that urge students to translate vulnerability into concise lines rather than big explanations.

Makes classroom conversations about empathy less abstract and more actionable.

Applies beyond poetry to journaling, songwriting, even self-reflection.

Want your work to connect? Show how brief, fragile moments carry weight.

Share your haiku on WriteSeen with a secure, timestamped upload—perfect for protecting your voice while building meaningful connections with agents and publishers.

5. “In the Moonlight” by Yosa Buson: Sensory Imagery and the Echoes of Memory

If your work skips the senses, it falls flat. Buson’s “in the moonlight, / the color and scent of wisteria / seems far away” is a clinic in sensory layering.

Adds depth using scent and sight, not just images—students strengthen observation skills by trying this themselves.

Great model for teaching mindfulness and the value of writing about what you actually experience.

Encourages creators to handle nostalgia and longing delicately, hinting at memory with present-tense detail.

Pushes poets out of the visual-only approach, showing what happens when you blend several senses together.

Invites dialogue about “the feeling behind the scene,” making it essential for workshops on mood.

If you need your verse or art to hit harder, lead with the senses.

6. “Cherry Blossoms” by Kobayashi Issa: Joy in Fleeting Beauty

Joy is as worthy a topic as sorrow. Issa’s “cherry blossoms fall— / enough to fill my belly” is bold, funny, and unforgettable.

Calibrates playful surprise with deeper ideas of impermanence—a rare balance in such a short form.

The image brings the season to life, connecting with anyone tackling nature-themed projects or lessons.

Works for group brainstorming sessions and loosens up timid writers with its permission to be whimsical.

Breaks clichés by shifting classic subjects (like cherry blossoms) into something lighthearted and personal.

Encourages writers to see that minimalism can still be emotionally rich.

Sometimes, the best lesson is to find delight and dig for it.

7. “Lily” by Nick Virgilio: The Unfolding of Self and Transformation

Here’s a standout for creators who want to push boundaries with haiku. Virgilio’s “lily: / out of the water / out of itself” discards strict 5-7-5 and lands with power.

Inspires growth, shining for personal storytelling about transformation or new beginnings.

Useful for poetry students needing proof that it’s okay to break the rules if the voice is clear and strong.

Featured in classrooms for blending metaphor with sensory detail—great for teaching self-discovery, reinvention, or emergence.

Connects with anyone who wants to document their own evolution or discomfort within a simple frame.

Shows that haiku’s impact doesn’t hinge on perfect structure, but on an image that brings new meaning to familiar things.

Our crowd at WriteSeen thrives on these breakthroughs. Every time someone shares their evolving work, it’s proof that your voice matters more than any formula.

Growth in creativity often looks like quiet transformation, visible only over time but powerful when you see it.

8. “The Earth Shakes” by Steve Sanfield: Minimalism and Understated Power

Minimalism is an art, not a shortcut. Sanfield’s “The earth shakes / just enough / to remind us” proves a short haiku can hold the weight of a novel.

Ideal for teaching students to trim the excess and focus on the moment that matters.

Useful for creators seeking to capture massive themes (power, humility) in a handful of words.

Stresses the impact of suggestion—students learn the value of letting silence do some of the work.

Excels as a prompt for those new to editing, helping them see restraint as strength.

Opens classes to discuss meaning between the lines instead of spelling everything out.

Sometimes, what you leave out gives your work more punch than what you put in.

9. “A Caterpillar” by Matsuo Basho: Capturing In-Between Moments

Every creator lives in the “not yet.” Basho’s “caterpillar— / this deep in fall— / still not a butterfly” recognizes the power of liminal states.

Reminds writers that transformation is a process, not just a result.

Shows students it's valuable to capture anticipation, not only celebration or loss.

Recommended in workshops for writing about change that hasn’t finished unfolding.

Encourages patience and attention to ongoing stories in nature, art, and even career growth.

Spotlights haiku as a way to honor where you are, not just where you hope to end up.

If you want students or colleagues to value the process, start with this example.

10. “Haiku Year” by Paul Holmes: Using Seasons as a Framework

Structure breeds freedom. Holmes’ series, where each haiku spotlights a different month, models how you can map both nature’s rhythms and your own growth through disciplined form.

Guides new poets through the art of kigo (season words) by giving clear monthly cues.

Adaptable for group projects or personal journals, making it a practical framework for tracking progress.

Highlights how small, intentional shifts over time build a bigger creative narrative.

Invites writers to build word banks and document growth, month-by-month or season-by-season.

Bridges haiku to life-writing, portfolio building, and creative tracking for both classrooms and professional development.

Here at WriteSeen, we see this series structure work magic for creators taking on year-long challenges and collaborative anthologies.

11. “October’s Gold” by Paul Holmes: Vivid Metaphor and Colorful Comparison

Want your haiku to stand out? Holmes goes bold with “fallen leaves / crunchy cornflakes / under my feet”. This example breaks from the usual to wake up the ordinary.

Proves how fresh metaphors keep seasonal poetry lively and relevant for any age.

Teachers use this as a springboard for students to break away from tired clichés.

Demonstrates onomatopoeia—crunchy!—to ignite sound and scene within the reader’s mind.

Opens doors for mixing classic subjects with unexpected, modern twists.

Lends practical tips: keep it playful, let your personality shine through the imagery.

This is for anyone not satisfied with just repeating the classics.

12. “Spring Is in the Air” by Kaitlyn Guenther: Haiku for Young Creatives

Haiku doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Guenther’s “spring is in the air / flowers are blooming everywhere / children laugh and play” delivers the season in plain language.

Empowers beginners and children to dive right in—no gatekeeping, just joy.

Gives educators a ready-made entry point for demystifying poetry.

Proves haiku is for all ages and experience levels, removing barriers to creative expression.

Shows how simple images can instantly trigger a shared response.

Energizes writing workshops, opening up space for laughter, honesty, and new voices.

We encourage fresh voices to take risks—keep it clear, keep it true.

13. “Against His Coat” by Alexis Rotella: Emotional Intimacy and Modern Themes

Modern haiku is personal. Rotella’s “I brush my lips / against his coat / silence of snowflakes” cuts deep with just a gesture and a feeling.

Inspires creators to tell stories in snapshots, focusing on intimacy and mood.

Useful for introducing mature themes or nuanced relationships in poetry lessons.

Encourages you to experiment with voice, letting emotion come through in what’s unsaid.

Widely used in workshops to move beyond nature and capture internal states.

Validates the use of contemporary, real-life details in minimalist forms.

Bring vulnerability to your craft—your audience will connect.

Tips for Writing Your Own Haiku Example

Ready to write your own? Start with these quick wins.

Use a present moment and concrete details to ground your poem.

Stick with 5-7-5 if you’re learning, but crossing those lines is fine if your voice stays honest.

Choose a season or sensory word (kigo) and experiment with a pause or shift (kireji).

Draft in a notebook or on WriteSeen—secure, timestamped, and perfect for building confidence with peer feedback.

Share your poem for instant insight and build connections with creators worldwide.

Haiku is your fast track to deeper focus and real creative community.

Conclusion: Why One Great Haiku Example Can Change Your Creativity

Great haiku example ideas can ignite something powerful in any creative mind. Whether you’re a filmmaker looking to capture emotion through silence, a songwriter seeking sensory sharpness, or a poet refining the structure of your verse, the examples in this guide offer more than inspiration—they offer precision, emotion, and clarity. Each one teaches a different lesson in how minimalism can magnify meaning.

By exploring these haiku, you also engage with the universal themes that move us all: nature, impermanence, intimacy, joy, and change. Their brevity forces us to choose every word carefully—a skill that benefits all forms of creative work, from writing and design to music and film. The best haiku examples don’t just show you how to write; they show you how to see.

Start with one haiku, then write your own. Share it on WriteSeen, where creators from every background come together to test ideas, get feedback, and sharpen their craft. Your haiku might be short—but the impact it makes could be lasting.

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