winter . . .
he left only
his handwriting

Beth Ann Melnick (5)

This haiku really spoke to me because of how personal it was for me. Winter is a time of cold, and often deep in thought. It is gloomy and has a depressed feel to it. I picture a woman sitting by the window, gazing out at the gloomy haze, but also peaceful stillness to it, everything appearing to be dead. With the idea of him leaving only his handwriting, I am brought to the thought of a man who has passed away, the whom this woman loves. In their younger years, purer years, the two had written love letters to each other, and now in times of mourning, this woman refers back to them, feeling close to him only in his ancient cursive. Brittany

stirring the soup
with my finger
maybe someday he’ll call

Laura Scoville (3)

holding his hand
I learn the hardest lesson
letting go

Beth Ann Melnick (6)

meeting the parents
football game
no says it all

one floor above
romance
finds a steady rhythm

Beth Ann Melnick (9)

I loved this haiku! It brought back so many memories that made me laugh. Like I talked about in class, when I was visiting my friend in California, we were sitting in his apartment and could hear everything that the couple upstairs was doing, and believe me, they were doing a lot. I think that this haiku made everyone giggle and even a few people blush, but it’s perfect because everyone has been there and knows what it’s like to hear that sound of the couple upstairs. I like that the author says “finds a steady rhythm” because it gives the memory a specific sound to add in to your mind as you are imagining what the scene is. Jessica

eating healthy
brussels sprouts…
twitch at the thought

prayer for the
strength to
overcome the miles

friendly conversation
oh, how we desire
for hands to do the talking

tapping my foot by the door
waiting for you
like always

Madeline Knott (5)

watching the empty road
knowing he will never
return

walking the beach
this time
my footprints alone

Katie Colletta

bailing hay
sweat drips down,
she wipes it all away . . .

Danny Delaney (3)

my twelve page confession
you say
thanks

Kale Ewing (10)

When I first read this poem, I was reminded of the episode of Friends where Rachel writes Ross a 24 page letter, front and back, talking about why they broke up and how she felt and everything. But personally, although I’ve never written a letter like this, I’ve had a conversation like this. The moment when you have poured your soul out before another person while you wait for their response is agony... From a technical standpoint, I love the construction of this haiku with “thanks” all on its own, and the decreasing syllabic pattern. Katie

There is definitely a certain unspoken code when it comes to writing notes, and now texting. It’s so incredibly obnoxious when you type up a bunch of stuff and then all you get back is a ‘k’. It’s ten times worse when they throw in a period at the end. I also loved how all the girls ganged up on the guys and it turns out Kale wrote it. It’s always assumed that guys are the ones that always deny the girls, when in reality it probably happens just as much to them. Laura

dress picked
flowers bloom
now fill in the groom

walking together
I still don’t think
you see me

Eddie Pluhar (3)

a gentle shove
from behind
no training wheels

Eddie Pluhar (6)

This haiku reminds me of my childhood. When I was little, my brother taught me how to ride my bike. He was a big time kid who was tough and didn’t spend time with his little sister, but he found time to teach me how to ride my bike. He put me on the pegs of his bike until I learned how to balance without training wheels, and once I got onto my bike, it was him who gave me a push. Granted, the first time I went on my bike without training wheels I hit a parked car, but it was still a fond memory. Every child has a memory of being taught how to ride their bike, whether it is from a parent, a sibling, or a friend. This universal memory makes this haiku very relatable for a large group of people. I also like this haiku because it is a gentle shove. These two words have very different connotations from each other. A shove is usually seen as harsh and mean, but when coupled with the word gentle it becomes a sweet and loving gesture. Beth Ann

he walks by
my aviators hide
my moistened eyes

Kelsy Whitney (2)

two chairs
at the café table
one lonely latte

new hairdo
just so I have
a reason to talk to you

Eddie Pluhar (2)

from my window
I see his arms
. . . around Her

Jessica Golden (4)

you knocked me over
without lifting
a finger

Kale Ewing (7)

in the shower
i think of you
. . . shampoo in my eyes

Samantha Parks (2)

lightly stepping
into a warm shower
worries melt away

going out of his way
to pass her window
she never looks

you’re not mine
but I have to see you
every day

autumn breeze
her hand
missing a ring

Beth Ann Melnick (5)

penciled across
the notebook
my name with his

Ally Staudenmaier (2)

not even grandma’s thread
can stitch up
this heart

Kelsy Whitney (3)

I love this haiku because of the imagery. I can see a boy or girl sitting, crying, begging to be healed by something or someone. Their pain is so immense that they can’t find anything to heal them. They’ve tried everything they can think of to dull the pain, even one of grandma’s handmade sweaters or scarves. Yet, their heart is still broken. Eddie

sidewalk
I take the grass as they float by
hand in hand

Laura Scoville (2)

cheeks flush
as he catches me
checking him out

I love this haiku because I know this feeling all too well. Many times I have found myself interested in a guy, but was too awkward to approach him. Usually, I'd be scoping out the guy and would be so transfixed that, if I were caught, I'd be totally embarrassed. I can imagine in this girl's case, she's sweating after being caught. Her cheeks have turned a bold pink, and has to turn away. Steph

from across the quad
she sees him
his new fling

enticingly pressing
my body against his
glad I did abs . . .

after the breakup—
late to class
taking the long way

Laura Scoville (6)

I really connect with this Haiku merely because I recently broke up with my girlfriend of 2 years. Also, unlike most of the other haiku’s in this, it leaves it open as to whether it is a boy or a girl. Most of the other ones portray the boy as the bad guy – a common stereotype. I often find myself dozing off lately because my breakup was over a dumb reason. I think about random things. What ifs and such. Danny

high school sweethearts
a little lie
ends it all

Samantha Miles (6)

This haiku perfectly describes the end of my relationship in high school. It is such a simple haiku but yet very powerful in that fact that it is very truthful. I feel as though many people can relate to this haiku. My now ex-boyfriend and I broke up right before college, so for me to start new was perfect, but I had a hard time trusting people. I feel as though a lie in any relationship will end things very quickly and easily. It is a deal breaker to me and I believe that almost everyone would agree with that. Ally

kissing your neck
i feel you
drain me

text message
he's too drunk
to care

Stephanie Helfgott (7)

first glimpse
of her body
his strength surrenders

Stephanie Helfgott

When I read this haiku I didn’t think of anything dirty or wrong. Obviously this girl is undressing in some way, probably in an intimate way, but it is not lustful. I imagine A big sweater slipping gently off of the girls shoulder and she leaves it there, maybe with her hair covering part of her face. His strength may be the strength of restraint from going to her, or just his physical strength, but I feel like this moment is between two people only. It is a gentle moment, and the word surrender implies that he is giving up against the pull that makes him gravitate towards her. I also like the word glimpse because it is not her naked, or her completely exposed. It is only a little part, but it is enough to completely overpower him. Beth Ann

This haiku describes a moment that I had here at school. I was walking out of a class and I turned to walk down the hallway and I saw a girl. It literally felt as though I had gotten the wind knocked out of me. I continued on with the conversation that I was having with a friend, but he even noticed that I was having trouble talking and that I was distracted. Bret

stars fade
I wrap myself
in your darkness again

Samantha Parks (6)

falling as I kiss you
lightly
knowing you belong to another

Brittany Falardeau (4)

This haiku is so heart breaking and sad. I think everyone knows the feeling of lusting after someone that they know they can’t have. Although we know that we can never be with this person we still think about it constantly and imagine what it would be like to kiss them and be theirs. On another level, I imagine someone at a party getting a little too drunk and making bad choices. I believe it is easy to make bad choices but harder usually to make good choices. It is a personal battle every day to do the things are that right for me such as eating right, working out, doing homework, and not throwing myself at people who are not right for me. You have to look inside and realize that you are a strong person and do not need to make the same mistakes as everyone else. Maddie

To me this haiku is very powerful and bittersweet, perhaps because something similar if somewhat reversed has occurred in my life recently. That aside, I picture a sweet guy, amazed and in love with a girl he's known quite some time and always had a thing for finally getting that first kiss. He tries to push back cynicism and let the moment wash over him yet deep down he knows this is only a rebound and that deep down, her heart isn't yearning for him but still dwelling on the one she left behind. He feels caught up in a dream and yet, at the same time, horribly used and bitterly unsure about the future. Sam P.

his head in the game
he will never know
she exists

Sam Miles (3)

sunset on the bridge
she finally has the courage
to say yes

Beth Ann Melnick (6)

I really enjoyed this haiku because it reminds me of my life. My high school sweetheart always want me to be able to commit for the future and I was always to scared to say that I wanted to be with him forever and that was the reason that we broke up. However, now I’m ready to make that commitment and things are not that simple and I like how the haiku brings that feeling together. The second and third line represent how I feel and I can really relate to the girl in the haiku and I really like how the first line talks about that beautiful moment. For me I feel like the first line is why she is finally about to say yes, because everything is finally starting to line up in a perfect like fashion just like the sunset. Sam M.

I picture a girl, who is falling in love with a boy she’s been ‘talking’ to. She secretly knows how society in general will react to them being together, for reasons such as economic or racial differences. She longs to be with him but is too worried about how other people will react. But while sitting on a bridge, watching the sunset, he asks her if she’ll just be with him and not care what other people think, and she finally has the courage to say yes. Kelsy