Question

When the winter chrysanthemums go,

there’s nothing to write about

but radishes.

–Bashō

Which features of the poem identify it as a haiku? Check all that apply.

The poem is three lines long.
The poem does not use rhyme.
The poem contains a kigo.
The poem is written in English.
The poem is written in the present tense.

Answer 1

- The poem is three lines long. ✔
- The poem contains a kigo (winter chrysanthemums = seasonal word). ✔

The other choices (no rhyme, written in English, present tense) are not defining features of haiku.