The Imagist Manifesto and Imagism's Link to Haikus

The following is a excerpt from an Imagist Manifesto, which explains what Imagism as a movement set out to do.

From an Imagist manifesto:

1. To use the language of common speech, but to employ the exact

word, not the nearly-exact, nor the merely decorative word.

2. We believe that the individuality of a poet may often be better

expressed in free verse than in conventional forms. In poetry, a new

cadence means a new idea.

3. Absolute freedom in the choice of subject.

4. To present an image. We are not a school of painters, but we

believe that poetry should render particulars exactly and not deal in

vague generalities, however magnificent and sonorous. It is for this

reason that we oppose the cosmic poet, who seems to us to shirk the real

difficulties of his art.

5. To produce a poetry that is hard and clear, never blurred nor

indefinite.

6. Finally, most of us believe that concentration is of the very

essence of poetry.

Hmm, presenting an image? Language of common speech? Exact wording? What does that sound like?

Now, it’s well-known that Imagism was heavily influenced by Japanese poetry and haikus and I would put it out there that Imagism is really American Haiku. Like I said in my first post, haikus are not really about the rules even though that’s what’s best known about them. The presentation of the image is what’s most important and although the Imagists went about it differently, at their hearts, Imagism and haikus are essentially the same.

Imagism=Haikus that got a little disheveled during their trip across the Pacific Ocean.

Works Cited:

"imagism: defined." UPenn, n.d. Web. 1 Jun 2010.