Haiku is a traditional Japanese verse form made up of three lines of five, seven and five syllables. In the early days the starting point of a longer chain of verses was known as a hokka, and it set the tone for the whole "haika". It was, however, often composed by itself without the rest of the chain. In the 1890s this form of poetry became known as haiku and the traditional elements of seventeen syllables in groups of five, seven, five was maintained.

While in Japan there are strict rules, the units of five, seven and five syllables; the technique of cutting the haiku into two parts for the purpose of comparison and contrast; and a reference to the season in which the haiku was written. A haiku should contain a kigo, a season word, to indicate which season the haiku is set in. For example, flowers indicating spring; falling leaves, autumn; fireside, winter; and the sun indicating that it is set in summer. But the kigo is seldom so obvious.

In foreign languages there is no consensus on how haiku should be written. They can be about anything, preferably uncomplicated daily situations and thoughts.

The lack of rules in modern haiku has inspired me, and many others, to attempt to write it. So if the more refined haiku lovers say that it isn't haiku at all, I would not argue with them. These are just expressions of the thoughts and ponderings of a mind struggling with the unanswerable questions that today's society is faced with.