Texting and Internet culture created an abbreviated language of its own, but conciseness in communication has existed in many forms for centuries. Take the haiku, for example. It’s usually a mere 17 syllables and yet conveys a message steeped in artistry and immediacy.

And because today is National Haiku Day, OnMilwaukee wants to celebrate this Japanese poem with Milwaukee haiku of our own.

Barbara Ali published a book last year called "Milwaukee Haiku" that's chock-filled with Brew City short poems. This is one of her favorites, about a popular frozen dessert you may have heard of:

Creamy dairy treat
Whipped butterfat and egg yolk
Smothered in hot fudge

Maybe you haven't written a haiku since grade school, but today might be the day to fire up your 16th Century Asian poetry skills. Haiku are three lines long. The first line is five syllables, the second is seven syllables and the third is again five syllables – like the first line.

Here are a few I wrote:

An April snowstorm
Makes the brandy taste better
But shandy tastes worse

White wings open up
Release birds of hue and light
Then close for the night

The Milverine walks
Perfect pace – no need to run
Shirtless in the sun

You can do better. If you're feeling motivated send your Milwaukee haiku to me and I'll post to OnMilwaukee's social media. #mkehaiku