These JAPANESE STYLES of Poetry are very beautiful in appearance (Japanese Script) - sound and content. We are on sacred ground. It is the content that is important - the syllable count less so. A lot of HAIKU (Nature and Seasons) and SENRYU (Human & Emotions) are written in 17 syllables (or less) and three lines. When one reads an H or S one is sometimes left a bit bemused. So two extra lines (often of explanation) are added - normally each with seven syllables. This is called a TANKA. This is a very brief introduction and I trust purists will forgive me. br br HAIKU - SPRING (5 - 7 - 5) br br snow disappearing br willow is greening again br Spring is everywhere br br SENRYU - FATHER (5 - 7 - 5) br br my father gentle br wise - loving - sportsman - writer br now just a memory br br TANKA - FROGS - (5 - 7 - 5 - 7 - 7) br br Spring - lots of green frogs br funny - lively and leaping br why are they in jars? ? ? br Rana Temporaria br for dissecting not dinner! ! ! br br Comments would be appreciated.