Final answer:
The statement is true as haiku has evolved from a traditional Japanese form to a modern expression of life, in line with the broader literary evolution from structured verse to more experimental and personal forms in modernist poetry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Answering the statement, “Haiku became more than another form of poetry. It became an expression of modern life.” This is true. Haiku, a traditional Japanese form of poetry known for its simple structure of three unrhymed lines with a 5-7-5 syllable count, often focusing on nature, has risen beyond its conventional boundaries to reflect modern existence and sentiments. The evolution of poetry itself, as highlighted by Robert Bly, aligns with societal transformations from aristocracy to democracy, mirroring the transition from sacred chants to free verse and even to prose. His interview suggests that like prose poetry, which lacks predefined standards, haiku, too, has adapted to render the ethos of contemporary times—an era where literature is debated to be broader, including digital media and not just restricted to print. The modernist movement represented by literary figures such as Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, and Marianne Moore advocated for literature that “appears new” and experiments with form, often reflecting on modern life's fragmented reality. Haiku has followed a similar path, becoming a form that captures the essence of today's diverse experiences and moods.