Well, his argument on that is
that Haiku is based in a non-latinate language, and the rules for english haiku are merely approximations subject to minor interpretative differences.
"For example, they didn't take into account that in Japanese syllables are counted differently. What may be considered a 12-syllable verse in the West, may be counted as 17 in the East"

As for the seasonal thing, I think your version somewhat loses the original pun
(pseudosocrates, Thu 9 Sep 2004, 17:54, archived)

Aah, but it added a more subtle one
The frog looking for flies with which to impress his prospectve spouse considers that winter may not be a fruitful season in which to track them down...
Hard life, being a frog
( Gizmo.mp3 does not exist, Thu 9 Sep 2004, 18:35, archived)