Write a haiku for Mother's Day

Flowers and phone calls are OK on Mother's Day, but why not try your hand at writing mom a haiku this year? We might just publish it for you.

Starting Wednesday and running through Sunday, we are encouraging readers to submit haiku poems related to moms.

Haikus can be posted to the Coloradoan's Facebook page, written via Twitter with the hashtag #FCmomhaiku included or emailed to MWillson@coloradoan.com (use "Mother's Day haiku" in the subject line, and don't forget to include your name). On Sunday, we will publish submitted poems online and possibly in print.

What is a haiku?

A Japanese form of poetry consisting of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven and five syllables, traditionally evoking images of the natural world. The word is a contraction of the Japanese phrase haikai no ku, meaning "light verse."

How to write a haiku

• Compose three lines that total 17 syllables

• The first line must be five syllables, the second seven syllables, and the third five syllables again

• Punctuation and capitalization is up to you

• Haikus do not have to rhyme, and repetition of words is permitted

For those looking for a little syllable-counting assistance, WriteAHaiku.com can help.

Why haikus?

Haikus are the shorter-in-length sister of sonnets, verses and ballads, so sharing them on social media is easy, and giving your mom a special surprise won't take up more than 17 syllables.