Before there was the Haiku, there was the Waka. The syllable per line requirement of a Waka is 5-7-5-7-7 (as opposed to the simpler Haiku, which is 5-7-5). This form of traditional Japanese poetry tends to involve nature imagery and deal with romantic or tragic topics.
Two of the Japanese national anthologies, the Manyoushuu and Kokinshuu, are full of these lovely poems. For hundreds of years it was the form of choice for Japanese poets and, to this day, there are national Waka-writing contests. In earlier periods, they were also considered a stylish way of sending love poems or simply writing messages.
Now you can write your own Waka:
Write a Waka about Winter!Created by: Sarah, the Elf