Figaro, obviously you can write whatever you like, and use as many syllables as you please. It's not for me to be critical or prescriptive. The point of Haiku is that the words, thoughts, and allusions are crammed into a disciplined format. By ancient Japanese tradition, each is in three lines only - five syllables, then seven syllables, then five syllables, 17 in all. We'll leave to one side that the Japanese definition of a syllable for this purpose is rather different. I find that, as with any type of poetry, the exercise of fitting the concepts into the chosen format focuses the mind and sharpens concentration (a bit like crosswords or sudoku - which I don't much care for, because when you've completed them there is nothing to show or share). If sometimes you can work in hidden double meanings, which alert readers may get, so much the better. If you stray outside the format, fine - but then it's not Haiku. Many of mine are rubbish, I know. I like to think some hit the spot. Go on, try a few if you want.
Xenophon Greeks fleeing Persians In trackless fighting retreat 'Thalatta' they cried. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabasis_(Xenophon)
