Haiku Kukai 6 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Fall 2016
high on a rock |
Autumn morning Alexander Erickson ••• This was another haiku that I enjoyed from kukai, and was one of my double votes. Each line in this haiku brought another meaning and tone to the setting. Once I read the whole thing, the imagery of a veteran sitting in his wheelchair was incredibly vivid. I really liked the use of the word “dog” like the idea of an army dog; it also makes the veteran appear a little more ragged than if a different word was used. Caroline |
winter night Anna Harmon • |
the faces change Savannah Riestenberg •• I really like this haiku because the author is very effective in getting their point across. It shows that it doesn't matter where someone is from or what their background is. We're all human and we're all equal. Renee
|
fan Alyssa Becker •••• The progression of this haiku catches me by surprise. I always leave my fan on at night when I sleep because I like the noise it makes in my room. It calms me and helps me to fall asleep. There is an interesting twist in this haiku with the comparison of the calming, cool fan blades and the scary sound of helicopter blades. When I hear a helicopter I immediately pray for the person inside. In this haiku, a peaceful night's sleep is interrupted by sudden worry of the situation of the helicopter passenger. As a side note, I can also see the circular motion of the fan and hear the difference between the fan blades and helicopter blades spinning. Alyssa |
pill bottles Douglas Sherrill • |
my sweatpants Alexsenia Ralat ••• This haiku cracked me up but also was incredibly relatable. Due to rape culture, many assault victims are forced to believe that their assault is their fault. While this haiku addresses this, it also maintains a sarcastic tone enforcing the incredulousness of the idea that sexual assault is the idea of the victim. Caroline |
a cold wind blows Alyssa Becker •••• I like this because it's kind of a surprise at the end. You expect an open field. Filled with corn or something, but instead, the reader is gifted with the image of a field of dead bodies. I think that this haiku could be a war haiku, specifically because it could be describing the aftermath of a battle. Alexsenia This Haiku makes me think of an abandoned battlefield, the living has moved on to continue the fight, but in this now silent space, the only company for the dead is the cold wind. Doug |
slowly falling Shannon Netemeyer •••
|
Yes, she's wearing flannel, Kaia Ball •• |
Are you butch, femme, or granola? |
the romantic kiss |
running up Matthew Vangunten • |
your warmth against my body Savannah Riestenberg •••• This is a beautiful, if not frightening, haiku. The first line highlights the feeling when you embrace a loved one, the warmth transferred from their body to yours and yours to theirs. Reading the first line, one might think the haiku will be light and happy. But the last two phrases describe said loved one losing their warmth, which I interpret as they are dying. If you have ever been at the bedside of one of your loved ones as they pass, this haiku will hit home. When I read it, I remembered those times when my grandparents were on their hospital bed with the whole family around, and the moment they decided to let go. You really do feel a warmth leave the room, leave their body as they pass. I thought this haiku displayed that feeling spot on. Shannon |
night drive Anna Harmon •••• I imagine myself after a long day at work with this haiku. These are the days that you know are coming up but that you dread when the day actually comes. At the end of the day it is dark and as I am driving home I reflect on the day and the fact that it was literally all day without slowing down to relax. This just brings a sense of reflection that I would feel on a night drive home like this. Matthew This haiku makes me think of driving around my hometown on a summer night. Sometimes when I am coming home late at night, I will drive around and take the long way home. I'll roll the windows down and let the cool breeze blow through my hair. My radio is turned to my favorite country station, and I blast music as I sit at my town's one stop light. I'll eventually end up at home, sometimes a half hour later than if I would have taken the normal way there. Owen I see a vivid scene of me alone at night, sitting at a red light, waiting for it to change so I can finally go home and sleep after a long day of working three jobs. It just really painted a vivid picture of my past for me honestly. Doug |
jogging to the dugout |
base slick from the rain Morgan Vogels • When I read this haiku, I start getting flashbacks from my softball-playing days. I remember a few games from high school when the intensity started growing due to the game being down to the wire. Then to add on to this tense situation, it began to sprinkle. Now both sides are nervous to continue to play, but we still went on. I grip my bat tightly as I don't want it to fly out of my hand due to the handle now being slippery. I focus in on the ball coming out of the pitcher's hands and swing, catching the ball with my bat, and the ball soars. I dig my cleats into the ground as I rip through the field. I have to make sure that I step carefully as I round the bases so I don't slip and slow my pace. Rounding third, I slip a little and thin for a split second I may lose the game for all of us. Alyssa
|
the kids go inside Matthew Vangunten ••• This haiku captures the essence of always having the spirit of a little kid in you, even when you are an adult. Society expects adults today to be responsible and have virtually no fun. I think this haiku shows that he wants to be a respected adult and show that he is mature, yet when everyone goes inside he lets out his playful inner child. We all need to do that from time to time, no matter how old you are! Alyssa |
sweating again Douglas Sherrill ••• I feel this on a personal level. Every time I wear a dress I wear super short shorts or spandex underneath because I have this fear of my dress blowing up for no reason. I'm usually wearing dress clothes for important occasions too so that plays into the reason why I sweat a lot. Alexsenia |
flashback from Iraq Alyssa Becker ••• I feel like Alyssa wrote this because her topic was war haiku. Whether or not it is hers, this haiku is great. I can feel the fear that that three-year-old must be feeling, seeing their parent shaking for reasons that they can't control. And the helplessness that the narrator must feel, not being able to reach out and comfort their child. It's heartbreaking to know that many veterans never get help. Because they are either scared that they'll be made fun of, or they see it as weakness. No one wants to admit their weaknesses. Alexsenia |
emotional night Anna Harmon •• I really like this haiku because one night, one of my roommates was having a little bit of a meltdown about a boy she had sort of been seeing. She and I had gone out and we saw him holding hands with a different girl. While she had only been talking to him for a few weeks, it was devastating to her to see him with someone else. She started crying, and I took her back to our apartment and made sure she was okay before I left again. When I came back, I brought one of my pretty good guy friends with me and the two of them had a heart to heart. Morgan |
golden chain— Caroline Lodovisi •• This Haiku made me think of how receiving a gift from someone can be seen as binding you to them in some way. To a lot of people in our culture, when they give someone a gift, they assume that they too will receive one in return, and they may become quite irritated when they don't get one in return. Doug |
bright sunflowers Caroline Lodovisi • |
a grain of sand— Caroline Lodovisi • I think that this haiku is really interesting because your focus/mental picture goes from that singular grain of sand to a larger picture with a beach full of millions and millions of grains of said. I also like how this haiku personifies the grains as sand and makes them feel united as one beach. Anna |
car ride Anna Harmon •••• This haiku sort of makes me think of an awkward silence while being in the car. I feel like this happens to me a lot. This summer, my best friend Colin would pick me up whenever we would hang out at my friend Kyle's house and the drive was around twenty minutes to get there. Whenever there was an awkward silence, he and I would both sigh at the same time so this haiku was pretty relatable for me. On the other hand, when my dad is driving me either to or from school, there are no awkward silences. He and I spend most of the six hour drive laughing, telling stories or reminiscing on good times. Morgan |
cold wind |
shared class Anna Harmon • This haiku was relatable for me as well. Last week, there were three or four days in a row that my roommate, McKinley, and I walked out of our rooms, looked at each other, and realized we were accidentally matching. Of course, we weren't wearing the exact same outfits but the color schemes were the same, like one day we were both wearing black leggings and black tennis shoes with purple long sleeve shirts. We got a pretty good laugh out of that one. It hasn't happened since, but this haiku triggered those memories. It was completely unintentional but we thought it was the funniest thing ever. Morgan |
graveyard at night Douglas Sherrill • I like this haiku because it makes me imagine walking alone in a graveyard late on an October night. A full moon reflects off of the tombstones as I make my way down an overgrown gravel path. Every sound seems amplified on this quiet night. I flinch with every broken stick or rustling bush, and I cannot help but fell as if I am not alone. I like this haiku because it illustrates how your mind can play tricks on you in creepy situations. Owen |
you thought Caroline Lodovisi ••••• •• (7) This is heartbreaking. This reminds me of my parents actually. They both thought that they loved each other, only to find out that that wasn't the case. They're both in happy relationships with other people. But it hurts to know that sometimes you're just not sure. Or to know that feelings change. People change. And I think that's why a lot of people are afraid of falling in love. Because what if the person you fall in love with ends up falling out of love with you? Or the other way around? Alexsenia This haiku is super powerful with how it is laid out. I like that the author acknowledges that they never lied about loving the person but was simply wrong. I like the use of the three periods, giving the last line more emphasis. Renee I relate to the emotions of this haiku so much. Again, this haiku is very simple as far as the amount of words used, but it produces a very strong feeling. The use of the ellipsis leaves the reader in suspense thinking that the haiku is about unrequited love, when the last line shows reveals that its just confusion. The cut in this haiku is extremely affective since it completely changes the entire feeling of the haiku. Being in a relationship without knowing how you feel about the other person is a very stressful and upsetting situation. Savannah |
raining Douglas Sherrill ••••• • (6) This haiku is very sweet and innocent. I can imagine a young man, either high school or college, holding a door open for a girl he has a crush on. Being polite to girls usually embarrasses boys, but they will almost always do anything for the girl they like. I can sense the anticipation of the boy hoping that the girl will notice him, but not in an overly embarrassing way. The fact that the boy is willing to get soaking wet just to impress a girl is very heartwarming. Savannah This haiku encapsulates how sweet this relationship is. The man holding the door could have walked into the building, but instead chose to hold the door (a dying gesture) for his loved one. It shows that he always puts her before himself, not just here but all the time. It is one instance that possibly describes their entire relationship. Shannon
|
begging the dog Anna Harmon •• This haiku just makes me think of my dog. She likes to run around outside and bark so she will only come back inside when she is either tired or had her fill. The stare is them acknowledging you but its almost like they are just saying no right before they run off again. Matthew |
Sunday drive Alyssa Becker ••• To me this haiku simply just applies to whenever I'm not around my brothers whenever I'm doing something I would have probably done with them. It is a weird feeling being away on my "Sunday drive" here at school away from my brothers. Matthew The first line depicts a joyous, light scene while the last two lines take the haiku to a darker place. I imagine the little brother having been loud and possibly even annoying to this older sibling on these rides but now that they are no longer able to go (I interpret it as the little brother has passed away) the older sibling misses that very annoyance, possibly even wishes he had payed more attention when he could. Shannon |
our song |
every time a bell rings Alyssa Becker •••• I like this haiku because it is cleverly worded, and it reminds me of my friend that passed away. There's always that one song or picture or other sentimental thing that reminds you of someone that you have lost. For me, it is the song “Who You'd Be Today” by Kenney Chesney, because it was played at her funeral. That song is the “bell ring” that reminds me of her “wings”. Renee |
your spot Anna Harmon ••• I like this one because it's sad (just like all the others that I like). It's like you miss someone who used to be such a constant in your life. And suddenly, for some reason, they're gone. And you either don't know or you don't understand why. All you're left with is the imprint they left on your couch and on your heart. Alexsenia This one just made me smile, as we all have that one spot on the couch. The one where you will be when no one's around and the one you claim first, when your friends show up. Doug |
I put dad's boots Alyssa Becker • |
husband Jordan Comish ••••• (5) I like this haiku because it reminds me of Hemingway's six word story, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn,” I like that this haiku creates a full story in so few words. Anna Despite the simplicity of this haiku, it is very impactful. It paints a very clear picture of a family that has recently lost their matriarch. The father and daughter continue in the routines they had established with the mother even though she is now gone. Although the haiku does not outright mention death or sadness, but something about the way it is written both concepts are very clear. Savannah |
oceans of conversation Jacob Morgan ••••• • (6) This haiku was another one of my double votes. I love the use of “oceans” of conversation and the “raindrop” sized conversation. Amazing haiku and excellent word choice. Caroline |
in the moon |
to swat a fly Owen Pulver •• |
needle goes in and out |
answering a message Morgan Vogels • |
the boy's weekend Alexander Erickson ••••• (5) I love this haiku because it sheds a whole new light on people with physical disabilities. Instead of people feeling pity towards this individual they make him the life of the party. As a future special education teacher, I truly adore how this illuminates students with disabilities. Alyssa This haiku is so bittersweet. There is a clear image of young men in a hospital trying to get back to normal despite the injury of one of their friends. It also reminds me of hanging out in the nursing home with my family and using wheelchairs as chairs. At one point my cousin and I tried playing bumper cars in the wheelchairs, but my mom stopped us. Another thing I like about this haiku is how the wheelchair is his chariot, because he is a survivor and deserves to be treated with respect despite this setback. Savannah |
afraid of change |
the spaghetti |
little cousins playing |
reliving my emo phase Shannon Netemeyer • |
all day long, saying Jordan Comish • |
exploring the woods Matthew Vangunten ••• |
so still the surface . . . Jordan Comish •••• I really like this haiku because it creates such a sense of peace. It is so easy to imagine the leaf falling and resting on the surface of water. I also think that this haiku does a good job of capturing the spirit of haiku. This haiku creates such a distinct feeling from a simple image, which what I think makes it such a great haiku. Anna |
links between stars |
a constant shadow— Jordan Comish •• This haiku reminded me of my own cats at home, bringing back a good memory of them following me around the house. I miss my kitty cats!! Caroline |
wingman— |
flow of breath, flow of life Jacob Morgan • |
watching tv |
leaves fall |
the crack of a bat Morgan Vogels •• This haiku was super spooky and kind of freaked me out when I got to the end. I loved the use of the word crack; it brought a very gritty and realistic aspect to the haiku. Caroline |
in the bar |
8 pm lecture hall |
rusted out truck Owen Pulver ••••• •• (7) This just makes me think of my car. It is my first car and my parents also didn't want to get me a nice car so that I could learn to appreciate and take care a car. I was also told that you do not need a nice car and that you need to earn a nicer car later on in life. So for now my old car is still able to get em where I need to go. Matthew Although this haiku is rather simple, I really enjoy it. Many people grow very attached to their first vehicle, and I believe this situation captures that emotional attachment. Even though the truck is rusty and growing old, she still drives it everywhere she goes and probably will continue to drive it everywhere until it is completely dead. I love this haiku! Alyssa This haiku is one of my favorites because it reminds me of my dad. He has had his truck for a while, but he loves it. There's rust on it, and my mom has been trying to get him to get a new truck for a couple of years now but he can't seem to part with the one he has. When my sister was playing AAU basketball the summer before her junior year of high school, my dad took his truck to Chicago and Michigan and it worked just fine, but he has had plenty of problems with it since. When we were moving my sister into college before her freshman year, he got a flat tire. He took my little sister to a tournament in Sheboygan, which is about an hour away, and his truck stalled. After these two incidents, my mom wouldn't allow my dad to drive his truck very far out of town. Because of that, every time my dad has to take me to school, my mom is stuck using his truck for the day (which she complains about a lot because she doesn't like driving it at all). My dad works in construction, so he spends a lot of time driving around. He always tells my mom that even though she doesn't like his truck, it gets him where he needs to go. Morgan This takes me back home, to where my Chevy blazer, and my 1975 Ford pickup wait for me to come check on them, make them run again and get moving on to another day of work. Doug |
praying Owen Pulver •••• This encapsulates what it is like to want to have faith, but to also have doubt. We aren't supposed to doubt our religion, but sometimes our education causes our minds to doubt some aspects of said religion. I like this haiku because even though the author is questioning whether or not his prayers are worth anything, he continues to pray. This displays hope and faith in a way that is relatable to anyone who has even the slightest amount of doubt. Shannon |
leaves rustle Douglas Sherrill • |
finding a clearing Douglas Sherrill ••••• (5) In the summer, one of my favorite things to do is to go outside and look at the stars. One night two summers ago, a few of my friends from work and I decided that we wanted to go to half apps at Applebee's. We left around midnight (DQ doesn't close until 10:30, so it was pretty late by the time we got there). After we finished there, we weren't quite ready to be done hanging out, so we drove out to a park called Lost Dauphin Park and we laid on the hill there and looked at the stars and cracked jokes (mainly “your mom” jokes because those are the main source of entertainment for my co-workers and I). We stayed there until about 2 in the morning, so I was in a little trouble with my parents when I got home, but it was definitely worth it. A few weeks ago, I really needed a break from schoolwork, so my friend, Erica, and I went for a drive. We drove for about a half an hour, and then she turned onto a side street and pulled over. She got out and the two of us climbed on the top of her car and sat up there for about an hour just looking at how beautiful the stars were and talking. Morgan |
rain clouds |
fresh cut grass Morgan Vogels • |
a diving stop |
the ducks swim together Douglas Sherrill •• This haiku could be about so many different things, but sad regardless. It could be about a family that has grown apart, a relationship that has ended, or a friendship that has changed in some way. I imagine the speaker going for a walk and watching the ducks with a feeling of emptiness for the relationship they no longer have. If I were in the speaker's position I would probably stop for a while and stare at the ducks as other people in the park stared at me wondering if I am okay. This haiku has a strong sense of denial in it as though the person has not fully accepted that the good times are over. Savannah |
I roll my eyes |
swimming in the stream Douglas Sherrill •••• I like this piece because it reminds me of a little creek that goes through my hometown called Gooseberry Creek. It is just a small creek, no more than five or six feet deep at its deepest points. My friends and I would be around the creek all summer long when I was a kid. We would fish and swim and wade in trying to catch crawfish. Sometimes I would take my dog to the creek with us. She would bound down the bank and jump into the water, splashing around with us kids for hours on end. This haiku reminds me of those fun times. Owen |
walking the path |
my son Owen Pulver ••• I like this haiku because it just brings memories to see other kids to swim where used to swim. This example is definitely true when I coach a summer swim team I used to swim on. I go to all of the meets and pools to coach at that I used to swim at for the team. Matthew |
old baseball field Owen Pulver • |
rich man walks Owen Pulver ••• I like this haiku because it super powerful in showing how social classes divide humans. Just because a person has more financial income than another, he is held at a higher “ranking”. The homeless are even ignored by most, being treated inhumanely. Renee |
looking at the sun |
the perched squirrel Douglas Sherrill •••• This haiku sticks out to me because I have always been really creeped out by the way squirrels look at you. They have those little, beady black eyes and they seem so malevolent when they stare at you. It's almost like they are mad at you for interrupting them from eating their acorn or whatever else they might be doing. This haiku actually makes me feel creeped out just from imagining the squirrel. Owen |
flames lick upward Savannah Riestenberg •• |
plucking the guitar strings Shannon Netemeyer •••• |
through the vents Savannah Riestenberg • |
chained to a tree Ryan Sikora • |
I exist Alexander Erickson ••••• •• (7) I like this haiku because it shows how we use other human beings for our benefit the majority of the time. It's like going out to eat and having a waitress for over an hour but never actually acknowledging her name. Renee |
the winning run |
cold wind |
words fail Savannah Riestenberg •••• I like this piece because it basically puts into words the feeling you get when you really like someone. Its somewhat ironic that the author was able to put this feeling into words on paper, while talking about how they are unable to do it when in the presence of their crush. I like how they use the phrase “crushing my throat,” because when you really like someone it can make you feel so nervous that you feel like you are almost suffocating. Owen I'm not sure what this haiku was supposed to evoke, interpretation wise, but I could see it going two ways. The more lighthearted read, possibly a stretch, could be that the author is so nervous around their significant other that the very nerves crush their throat and they are just speechless around them. The interpretation I like and read this as is quite dark. The first two lines are typical love haiku lines. Then the third line hits. I think this haiku is about an abusive relationship. The speaker is in love with this person even though they are extremely abusive, physically I assume. I love the dark turn this haiku takes, its almost like a punch to the gut, which gives the reader a similar feeling that the writer receives. Shannon |
keep your mouth closed woman— Alexsenia Ralat • |
100 degrees |
amusement park— |
women got the right to vote |
© 2016, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.