Senryus are a traditional short verse from Japan, using seventeen syllables in a five, seven, five formation. As such they force the writer to be very succinct. They are similar to the more well known Haiku, but whereas the Haiku spirit is pastoral and calming, the Senryu is more moralistic and cutting. I like to use them for expressing brief, pithy, impactful statements, usually on serious topical themes such as the present state of church life.