Haiku by AI: A New Frontier in Poetry? by Mike Facherty
Carrying on with my fun playing with ChatGPT, I asked it to outline the “rules” of writing haiku and then to generate some haiku based on these “rules.” The outline was not bad, with some appropriate caveats. I wasn’t blown away by the haiku that ChatGPT created.
ChatGPT considers that its own haiku are jolly good! Here are the prompts and responses that were used. The critique of each generated haiku seems quite formulaic and predictable.
What do you think?
PROMPT: As a poetry lover, critique the generated haiku.
Cherry blossoms fall
Soft petals on still water
Spring’s gentle farewell
This haiku effectively captures the imagery of cherry blossoms falling onto calm water, creating a serene atmosphere. The seasonal reference to spring and the use of “gentle farewell” evoke a sense of transience and the passing of time. Overall, it paints a vivid picture and evokes a contemplative mood.
Raindrops on rooftops
Whispers of nature’s rhythm
Melody of peace
This haiku beautifully conveys the tranquil ambiance of rainfall. The use of “whispers” and “melody” adds a musical quality to the poem, emphasizing the peaceful nature of the scene. The imagery of raindrops on rooftops creates a vivid and sensory experience. It effectively combines the elements of nature and sound to evoke a sense of calmness and harmony.
First snowflakes descend
Silent blanket adorns earth
Winter’s hushed embrace
This haiku captures the stillness and beauty of the first snowfall. The use of “silent blanket” paints a serene image, while “hushed embrace” conveys a sense of winter’s peaceful presence. The haiku effectively creates a wintery atmosphere and evokes a feeling of awe and tranquility.
Golden leaves twirling
Autumn’s dance in fading light
Nature’s final bow
This haiku skilfully portrays the vibrant colours and graceful movement of falling autumn leaves. The image of “autumn’s dance” and “nature’s final bow” creates a sense of seasonal transition and the fleeting beauty of nature. It captures the essence of autumn and leaves a bittersweet impression of change and endings.
Whispers of the wind
Cascading waves on the shore
Eternal echoes
This haiku successfully merges the imagery of wind and waves, creating a sense of movement and rhythm. The phrase “eternal echoes” adds a touch of mysticism, hinting at the timeless nature of nature’s sounds. It evokes a sense of vastness and the perpetual motion of the elements.
Overall, these haiku demonstrate a good grasp of the form and effectively utilize imagery and seasonal references to evoke emotions and create vivid scenes. They showcase a balance between simplicity and depth, capturing moments of nature and introspection.
hAIku by AI: A New Frontier in Poetry?
I don’t think so, based on these specimens. They fit the 5-7-5 shape; most have a season word but seem very hackneyed.
Of course, AI doesn’t have that essentially human moment of reacting to nature to produce a response.
What do you think?
