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5-7-5

The king of limitations.

Haikus are Japanese poems with more limitations than most realise.

They must 1) be a single stanza with 5-7-5 structure 2) include a seasonal reference and 3) contain a Kireji phoneme.

You’d be forgiven for thinking these limitations stifle the expression of Haiku poets, but it’s precisely these constraints that elevates the Haiku to a status of national treasure.

Limitations allow you to focus your energy into a format that makes sense to your audience.

If you’re stuck, try adding another constraint.