Senryu poetry is very much like Haiku in that a Senryu is a short, unrhymed poem composed of 17 syllables or less and written in three lines. It’s not necessary to use the 5-7-5 syllabic structure, though you can. Senryu poems are usually humorous or cynical and they focus on relationships, work, and the everyday. Haiku tends to be more serious and typically about nature.

I’ve written a few examples of Senryu poems for you to read.

Fatuous ideas (5)
in a Tiffany box, (6)
this e-mail from the boss. (6)

* * * * *

Anti-aging cream fails (6)
to erase many years – (6)
her gray reflection. (5)

* * * * *

Learn how others define Senryu poetry. Additional insight will help you write a better Senryu poem of your own. Give it a try. Let me know what you write!

You might also want to try writing a triolet.