I've read recently a very good essay on 'Western-style' haiku. It basically knocks flat the rigid 5-7-5 syllabic lines, in favour of the true 'haiku moment' which could be two words only. The idea is 'the idea' reigns, the insightful vision, the intuitive flash etc. etc., and not anything remotely resembling stiff structure. Anything that was syllable-prescribed in Japanese is mangled in the English language. This presents an interesting concept, allowing only a stroke of imaginative imagery to exist as a 'haiku'. This article trashed even the need to describe nature as in woods and bees, and contended that nature included the 'nature' of all things - wide open poetical vista. And don't even give 'seasons' a thought. Gone, gone, gone. The point of view was brashy, and I loved it.

But it is just a point of view Cynthia. Most of the work that I write has one or two really magical (for me at any rate) words or sentiments placed within it. The rest one really has to admit is fodder. The bun that holds the burger so to speak.
If that is what your source is really trying to say then I have some resonance with it. Personally I find the discipline of haiku both admirable and daunting at the same time.

True, the English language mangled the Japanese Haiku, but created its own form.

I love the 5-7-5 format: it gives a frame to create the poem in. And the best mouldings must come from a mould...

Thomas, it is the same old controversy of 'the Spirit versus the Law' which is NEVER going to 'solved'. I agree, in Haiku the syllabic constraint is fun, the subjects no longer completely 'nature' oriented. But I think we need a new word for the Western style; IMO the current 'purist' form is now almost insulting to the original concept which is still highly respected, and still produced as a venerated style of poetry in Japan.

So it won't be Haiku will it. You might as well invent a new form and call it a totally different name.

Our comments are crossing in cyber space. Your point is my point exactly.

Jack Kerouac called a lot of his haiku "pops" if that helps.

no