<human>:  Is Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes briefer than any haiku?
<bot>: Yes, Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes is briefer than any haiku. A haiku is a short Japanese poem that follows a 5, 7, 5 syllable structure. Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes, also known simply as Fleas is said to be the shortest poem written. So Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes.