Here is a clever way of explaining the structure of haiku to kids: Haiku is a very interesting type of poem, invented by the Japanese long, long ago. The poem has a prescription, or formula, by which it must be written. If you do not follow the formula, you do not have a haiku. Here it is, in the form of a haiku: First five syllables Second seven syllables Third five syllables What my little haiku means is that each line has a specific number of syllables, or beats. Count them. The reference... Sign in to see full entry.