Senryu Poetry

Closely related to the haiku is the senryu.  This type of poetry developed during the 18th century, and has the same form as the haiku, but with an important difference in theme.  Senryu, instead of referring to nature, refers to emotions or some other aspect of the human condition, often using irony to make a social commentary.  This English senryu also has seventeen syllables that are not exactly divided into the 5-7-5 form.

The underground roads
Are, as the dead prefer them,
Always tortuous.
--W.H. Auden