“If I Had More Time, I Would Have Written a Shorter Letter” – Blaise Pascal
3 lines. Seventeen syllables. Five syllables in the first and third line, seven in the second.
This is all you need to write a Haiku. A Japanese form of poetry so terse it requires more syllables to explain than write. Yet, it took me nearly an hour to write the Haiku below:
I’ll preface this by saying that I write at a pace that makes glaciers look like Formula One cars. But still, it’s a Haiku for fuck sakes! Why did such a simple poem take so long to write?
Paradoxically, Haikus are difficult to write because they’re simple. When the infinite expanse of an empty page narrows to the confines of 17 syllables, you have to choose every detail with care.
When you’re robbed of the luxury of inessential words and superfluous syllables, you’re forced to pair an idea down to its most elemental form. That’s what makes this a great exercise not just for writers, but anyone who makes a living teaching or sharing ideas.
In many cases “more” detracts from your message. Especially with the vast competition for people’s attention, it pays to express ideas in a quick, simple way.
So get your quills and start writing. Sayōnara folks!