Haiku Kukai 3 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Fall 2014
cares aside Sara Siegfried I like the contradiction that are in this haiku. It sets up the haiku with the sense of recklessness that we associate and idealize with love. The next line shifts the focus onto how we have such a strict list of rules in our society. The last line of course reveals the main subject of the haiku to be about love. This haiku briefly mentions how our society has such a strict set of rules and norms especially those geared towards love. However, we also idealize throwing everything we have to a relationship even breaking rules for love. This haiku I believe shows the conflict between these two ideals. Trista |
she kept his picture Jonathan Rieck (5) |
flirting Trista Smith (6) |
meditating thoughts |
pit bull with one eye Alec Campbell (13) |
making art Valina Hoang (5) |
pomegranate oil |
i didn't love her but Taylor Hagerdorn (9) This is easily, hands-down, one of my favorites from Kukai 3. It is such a simple haiku, but it has so much depth and emotion to it. I look at this haiku as if a boy is writing it. I can feel the boy being confused and not wanting to lead the girl on, but the girl doesn’t care. The girl loves him and to her it is all that matter. She doesn’t care if he takes advantage of her. What I like about this haiku is that it seems as if it is the boy treats kissing as a meaningful thing, which is unheard of in my generation these days. Today teenagers treat hooking up as a casual thing and as if kissing doesn’t mean anything. But it should mean something! It is nice to hear a male’s point of view and it is almost like he cares about her enough to know that kissing would lead to attachment. Valina |
a car backs away Alexandria Wilson (3) |
the drive back Valina Hoang (6) |
top of the mountain Valina Hoang (3) |
pretending to read Mackenzie Peck (10) This is absolutely beautiful. This small moment is so soft and loving. In this moment, love does not need to be spoken. Love is lived, expressed, diffused, soaked in—all subconsciously. Love is in every atom and it is the breath. This haiku is a moment of heating blanket love, the best high in the world. Taylor This happens to me all the time. I am overly guilty of doing this. I will be sitting on my boyfriend’s bed acting like I’m working on homework but in reality I am busy starting at him. After two years I am still in awe of our relationship. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love how well we get along, and how no matter how mad we get with each other there is always a solution to the problem. This haiku brings something simple that I do all the time to life. I also really like the last line. It helps to finish the picture of silence in the room, which always happens to me. Overall, this haiku is awesome! Sara |
nothing like Mikayla Shaw (3) |
white wall—misunderstanding; |
tall trees and a house, |
leaves change colors— |
military wife Daniel Rausch (4) |
saying things Danna Herbach This was a haiku that wasn’t born during the Kukai, but I am in love with it. I absolutely despise when people throw around words like “love”, “hate”, “best friends”, and etc. These words are so important to me that when I hear people use it in an empty way, it upsets me. In my opinion, I am a genuine and very honest person. Whenever I am fake towards someone or I do not act like myself, internally, I feel like crap. When I accidentally blurt out something I know I don’t mean, I ask myself “Why? Why did I do that? I just basically lied.” I think the world would be such a better place if we all just confronted our feelings and faced everything head on. Honesty is such an underrated virtue, but it is one that I cherish with so much of my heart. Valina This haiku brings back so many feelings from past relationships of mine. I remember clearly that feeling of being stuck and feeling trapped in my first relationship and telling him that I loved him when I knew that I didn't. I can clearly remember the guilt churning in my gut and the alarm bells going off in my head, but I can also remember the panic that led to my lying to him. It is amazing to me how much this haiku says with only six words. Natalie |
turning pages Trista Smith (4) |
after two years |
first date jitters |
twilight |
autumn chill outside |
rainy night Sara Siegfried (2) |
one drunken night ruined everything I love Daniel Rausch (11) I like this haiku because there is so much mystery. Did he make out with someone who was not his crush/girlfriend and she saw or did he say things that he did not mean. You cannot even tell what is happening other than he ruined everything he loves by being drunk, and maybe he loves her or maybe he ruined it with her, or maybe everything he loves is just her, and he messed up big time. I also enjoy the fact that it is a two liner. It has so many different meanings and could apply to so many different situations. Danna This haiku leaves so much up to the reader for interpretation and that's something that made this stand out to me. It has so much weight to it with emotion but also tells a story in its own way. But there are so many unanswered questions on for this haiku it allows me as a reader to decide what happened or ask why. Mikayla |
yahtzee for hours Taylor Hagerdorn (8) |
black dress |
he plays with my hair |
Jonathan Rieck (11) This haiku is so simple, yet so sad. It is as though this person is so afraid of being hurt that they never give someone a chance to love them and for them to return the love. I also adore the fact that it is only one word. It seems as though a potential significant other is telling them that they need to give the two of them a chance, yet the person refuses and spits out neverloveneverknoeneverhurt. It is an avoidance that is such a sad thing because they are so afraid to let their guards down and possibly experience a beautiful thing. Olivia |
date, get married, children? Mikayla Shaw (3) |
more fish in the sea Deja Finley (7) |
summer breeze— |
Nanananana Mikayla Shaw (6) |
after dishes we dance to records boxers, sweatpants
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a new friend Erin O'Brien (5) |
waiting train Sara Siegfried (7) |
risking it all Danna Herbach (4) |
rocking out |
wrought iron Alec Campbell (5) |
take out and idle chatter Taylor Hagerdorn (3) I love the sweetness and the peaceful simplicity that this haiku evokes. I am an introvert, and I tend to prefer the calm, quiet, familiar moments over the loud, crazy, new ones. Those are okay sometimes, but I can't handle them very often. I love being able to relax in the presence of those that I want to be around. As cheesy as this sounds, it really helps me to "recharge" and unwind after a stressful day. I would much rather stay in and order take out and talk than go to some fancy restaurant or party that I have to dress up for. Give me the quiet, simple life, and I'll be happy forever. Mackenzie |
across the room Trista Smith (11) |
apples swathed in honey Danna Herbach (3) |
wishing well Daniel Rausch (9) This haiku took an action that society does a lot (wishing on a coin in a fountain) and took it to a whole other level. Throwing coins into water has been one of my favorite childhood memories. Each time I would wish for the same thing: to meet Kelly Clarkson. It eventually came true, and I could not be happier. The author compared the dreams to the object that we throw in, and I think that is super cool. Rebecca |
living together Valina Hoang (2) I like this haiku because it reminded me of my best friend. We have been friends for about 8 years and have stuck together through thick and thin. However, we are going to different schools and this past summer was difficult for her. She ended up being depressed a lot and I didn't see her much. We have talked about moving to Chicago and then New York and living together. I thought that she would probably be my bridesmaid, too. However, I haven't talked to her since we left for school this year and I'm hoping that everything will be back to normal soon. This haiku just brought out so many feelings and it's strange to think about how 3 short, simple lines can create so many images and ideas in different people. Erin |
a closed music box Alexandria Wilson From this haiku all I can see is a girl getting ready for bed. She closes her closet after putting on her pajamas and brushing her teeth. She gets into bed and closes her eyes, but all of a sudden she hears the tinkling of a music box and her eyes fly open. She then thinks to herself that she doesn’t own a music box. The sound is coming from her closet. She gets out of bed slowly and walks over to the closed door. She opens the door and moves her clothes and there on the floor is a small music box playing Für Elise. She had forgotten about this present from nana just before she had died. Suddenly the lights began to flicker… Danna
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she spoke of him— Jonathan Rieck (9) This could be directed at any ‘he’ in the ‘she’ life. For me, I pictured my boyfriend first. I adore him, madly and deeply and genuinely, in the good and the bad and smelly and ugly and tired and beautiful moments. However, I am often quite terrible at conveying this in casual conversation. He is worth this haiku, which is much more than the watered down phrases I generally use in passing talk. I feel inspired to speak more of the stars that he continually puts into my sky. I want to tell people just how magnificent he is. The second person I thought of was my dad. He’s been my role model and best friend for my whole life. He means so much and has done wonders for my. I would not be who I am had he not been the inspiration that he was and is. Taylor |
short burst of rain Erin O'Brien (2) |
alone on the sidewalk |
growingupandlosingfriends Valina Hoang (5) I understand and relate to this haiku all too well. It definitely spoke to me when I first read it. Throughout grade school and high school, I had the same friends every year. Now that I am in college, I lost all of my high school friends except a few. It hurts a lot, which adds emotion to this haiku. I also appreciate how it is one line and has no spaces. This act of losing friends happens very quickly. Rebecca |
beautiful Mackenzie Peck (6) Again, this is another haiku that is dredging up old memories. This was my exact reaction when a past boyfriend first told me that I was beautiful, and at that time in my life, I did not believe him, so I scoffed at it and brushed it off because I didn't se how that could possibly be true. It's the simplicity and brevity of this haiku though that I think makes me love it so much. Without mentioning it explicitly, I can feel what she is feeling and at the same time, imagine the feelings of incredulity that he is experiencing. These brief lines leave a lot of negative space, but they make it easy to fill that negative space with inferred details and emotions. Natalie |
movie dates for first dates |
summer rain Olivia Cuff (13) |
she looks at the stars Mackenzie Peck (8) |
watching the stars Mikayla Shaw This haiku is so perfect. I am a dreamer and a wonderer, and I often think of what the future holds for me. It is so strange to think that there is someone out there that will love me one day, and who I will love as well, and we may not even know each other yet. I could drive myself crazy trying to figure out what will happen in the future, and who I will end up with, but there is no point because things will happen as they are meant to happen. Life will lead me where I am meant to go, and until then, I'll just have to sit back and enjoy the ride. Mackenzie I like this haiku, again, because of the emotions it conveys. I love to look at the stars and be amazed by their beauty. I imagined myself at home in my driveway looking up at the night sky. The idea of thinking "somewhere someone loves me" would be something that I would think because I get so inspired by the sky and when I feel alone, I can look at the sky and see that everything is so much bigger than just me and that there are people out there that feel the same and people that I will meet later in life and connect with them very well. Erin |
endless potential |
zoology Alec Campbell (7) |
burning sun |
comforted knowing Mackenzie Peck (7) |
Winter white Brandi DeLeonardo (9) |
three days pass |
sun in the summer |
spiders flee the rain |
bright star |
promise ring Sara Siegfried (3) |
running on the trails |
another jogger passes Mackenzie Peck (5) |
Irish performers Natalie Zelman (3) |
snack run |
we twirl Mackenzie Peck (5) I love this haiku! It reminds me going to church at home. Every week at the end of mass Father Dennis tells us to “Know that you are loved, and don’t worry so much.” While these are some of the hardest things to do on occasion I always love hearing him say that. Even when I send him emails from school he always includes that. This haiku brings this idea to life. I love the mental picture of dancing through a field of grass with my boyfriend not worry about anything. This haiku especially rings true to college students as we are always stressed and worried. As much as I try not to I simply can’t help worrying on occasion. I will definitely remember this haiku the next time I am sick with worry. Sara |
cookie? Danna Herbach I enjoyed this haiku because of how fun and playful the author made it. Reading this, I imagine someone who walks into the kitchen to grab something. She wasn't hungry when entering the kitchen, but after she sees the jar of cookies eyeing her down, she rethinks her previous thought. "Maybe just one", she thinks, but then her priorities are remembered; she quickly remembers that she is on a diet and bolts out of the room. That was a close one. Daniel I like this poem because I am such a batman fan. This brings back so many memories that it makes me happy. Most of all, it brings back the oldest form of batman I know, back to the old tv show with Adam West. I love the story of batman and why he began to save people. I love how almost everyone can relate to this haiku. It's basically the theme of everyone who knows batman. Brandi |
I discovered Jonathan Rieck (2) |
good vibes |
flip of bangs to focus |
grandpas in the park Valina Hoang (7) |
unravel mat; unravel soul |
from above |
feet hit pavement |
cold sweat |
2 wheels Erin O'Brien 95) I like this one because this a stage that we have all had to go through. It seems like with every stage in life we are riding our bikes for the first time. This first day of kindergarten is like riding your bike for the first time. The first day of college is the same way. Your parents guide you so that you can do it on your own. Getting your own house is the same way. Deja |
smiling at the press box Natalie Zelman (3) |
trampoline covered Rebecca Coutcher (3) |
sleeping roommate |
breathe in . . . |
tick-tock |
one more, |
bought his favorite coffee |
overpass Sara Siegfried (4) |
bruised student "dad got mad last night" Natalie Zelman (8) I liked this one because it was so real. I could feel the concern behind this. This is a very serious situation and I can feel the emotions behind it. I can see a picture in my mind of a little boy covered with bruises getting asked about the bruises finally. He is constantly asked, and is finally telling someone what happened. It's a scary scene, broken down into its simplest form. Brandi |
walking past |
eyes that shine with justice |
homework party |
melting clock Danna Herbach I am not really sure what I imagine when I read this haiku, but I really enjoy the flow of the poem. I'm unsure if what is keeping the person awake is the melting clock or the songs in their head or both. I guess my favorite part of the haiku is the image of the clock melting. It's just so creative and not what I would have thought to have described in a haiku. Olivia |
rapid heartbeat |
keys between her fingers Natalie Zelman (8) |
late night walk home Olivia Cuff (5) |
lost in the forest |
a room of shoes—discarded Taylor Hagerdorn (8) |
flickering light Alexandria Wilson (4) |
a stray dog Daniel Rausch (6) |
reflection in the mirror |
bump in the night |
stalker chills |
deserted woods Sara Siegfried (2) |
sings along Valina Hoang (3) |
hand dangling over my bed Mikayla Shaw (8) |
in my room Brandi DeLeonardo This haiku is just creepy. It is also a haiku that allows for just enough framing for a story or question to be raised or interpreted as a ghost or maybe an intruder in the house. Either way it is a completely realistic or possible incident, this is type of horror movies that freak me out the most. Mikayla |
midnight moon |
creepy neighbor |
summer night Danna Herbach (4) |
home alone Mackenzie Peck (10) This is a great creepy haiku. I feel creeped out just thinking of being home alone and the feeling of something missing. I love the cut at the end because it leaves the reader guessing as to what happens next. It seems as if the intruder grabbed the poet by the mouth during midsentence. Deja |
locked room no one home |
abandoned room Natalie Zelman I really enjoyed this haiku and thought it represented the creepy category well. The beginning line sets up the rest of the haiku by making it such a creepy setting to begin with. I especially like the last line because I can actually hear the niece mumbling those words; the spacing is used well. I picture a teenager who is babysitting her niece and then all of a sudden the niece spots something looming in the dark. She can't make out what or who it is but then the figure creeps closer and she asks who it is. Daniel |
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