Haiku Kukai 9 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Fall 2016
not quite christmas . . . Anna Harmon (4) |
candy cane |
free at last Alexander Erickson (6) |
no, I haven't Kaia Ball (3) |
family talks boys Savannah Riestenberg (3) |
the lovers giggle Alexander Erickson (8) |
clearing out her closet Alexsenia Ralat (7) I like the double meaning expressed by the artist “clearing out their closet”. It shows potential for liberation from inner demons of the author. Alex |
library book Anna Harmon (8) Anna's haiku reminds me of one of my favorite habits. Ever since I was little I can remember the moment of searching for check-out slip in a book as soon as I checked it out. I would look back and see who had checked it out before me, count how many times it had been checked out, and see who checked it out first. It was almost as it I was holding a piece of history in my hand. IN a nutshell, Anna's haiku overwhelms me with nostalgia. Alyssa This one reminds me a lot of me when I was younger, especially in junior high and high school. I've always been a big reader, and I always loved to see who had gotten it before me. It gave the books a past and made it feel like more of a shared experience, which was very nice for something that isn't usually associated with being social. Doug |
mom calls me at eight am |
stars Savannah Riestenberg (5) I think it's almost magical to be with someone with only starlight shining down on you. There's something heavenly about it, and it's really a unique feeling. Jordan |
light rain Shannon Netemeyer (7) I really like this haiku because I really like how carefree and lighthearted it is. I have definitely done this many times, and I love how refreshing throwing open a window can be. I also think that this haiku really captures positivity and not giving up when things get a little harder. Anna |
stealing a smile Alexsenia Ralat (8) This one I like because of how playful it is. It has an element of physical closeness, of course, and the word ‘stealing' gives the impression that the speaker really was trying not to smile, but couldn't help themselves to her. It's almost like a little competition/game theme, and it's playful. Jordan |
empty backpack Alyssa Becker (7) |
clink of spoons |
birds outside the window |
calm winter morning Shannon Netemeyer (6) I like this haiku because it reminds me of snow days when I was a little kid. When snow was in the forecast, I would wake up early in the morning and go to the window to see if we got any. I would then run downstairs to ask my parents if school had been cancelled. If so, I would rush to the closet to put on my snow pants, parka, and snow boots. I would then spend all day playing in the snow, glad to have the day off. Owen |
eternal rest Shannon Netemeyer (7) |
inspiring posters Alyssa Becker (4) |
slowly moving Caroline Lodovisi (3) |
braid in tinsel Kaia Ball (2) |
trying to gripe about Kaia Ball (3) |
the goddess of love Caroline Lodovisi (6) |
lighting candles Caroline Lodovisi (4) I imagine this haiku taking place at a military funeral of some sort. Since the phrase “don't ask don't tell” associated with being homosexual in the army, I immediately thought of a funeral for a gay service man or woman. Perhaps the fallen soldier's significant other is at the funeral and everyone is wondering if they were in a relationship or not, but obviously the setting is not correct for such a question. The people that gather at funerals are often strangers to each other to some degree, leaving everyone wondering what the connection is. Savannah |
finders keepers Caroline Lodovisi (8) I think this haiku is just really cute and playful. I think of a cutesy couple playing around, and the guy is saying his lover is his. He proves this with a kiss on the cheek. This whole scene just really gets to me in a romantic movie type of way. Ryan |
night falls Jordan Comish (4) |
orange and green |
the stream will flow Jacob Morgan (14) I love this haiku, it is reminiscent of some of Swede's work. The nature imagery is well done and it sends a great message. Alex |
pounding on the front door Caroline Lodovisi (9) |
two birds sitting Jordan Comish (8) This was another haiku that I enjoyed more than most others. I liked this haiku mostly because of the sense of togetherness and contentment that came with it. It is very light hearted and calm, but also playful and loving. Caroline |
new paint Matthew Vangunten (3) I like this haiku because it is one that I can easily relate to. This Thanksgiving, I went back to my high school for my brother's basketball game. I was shocked with how much it has changed in less than two years. The old gravel parking lot where I would park is freshly paved with concrete, and a fence blocks off the field where fans used to park for baseball games. The softball dugout has been replaced, and the old victory sign has been replaced with a large V. I can hardly imagine how much it will change in the future. Owen I like this haiku because every time I go back to the schools I went to growing up, things are always changing. My mom works at the elementary school I went to, and every time I go there with her I notice differences. At my high school, they got a completely new weight room after I graduated and it looks totally different. I can imagine going back there way later in life and seeing that almost the whole school looks completely different than it did when I attended the school. Morgan |
he swings Douglas Sherrill (5) |
I notice Douglas Sherrill (11) Doug's haiku truly hits me in a vulnerable place. Sometimes the most beautiful people, both inside and out, are taken advantage of in this world. With outside beauty, some girls feel the need to look a certain way or act a certain way with guys in order to be popular or seen as beautiful, eventually losing themselves along the way. More specifically in this poem I think of those women who are more of the quiet, selfless type. All they do is give and give and it goes unnoticed or people rely on them without giving anything in return. It's difficult to explain how, but Doug captures this feeling perfectly in this scene. Alyssa I loved the message of this haiku. It is just very uplifting in spirit, and I think anyone can grasp the meaning behind the simple phrase. The enlightened observation of the most beautiful leaves being the ones on the dirty ground where they can be walked all over makes you think of the most beautiful souls that tend to get trampled as well. I just think the observation and the parallel is lovely. Shannon |
a winter chill Douglas Sherrill (4) I love this haiku I think mostly because I relate to this one. As a swimmer, I walk to practice in the cold/winter all the time. Also, the training during the winter is some of the hardest training we face all season. However, we always make it to practice and I always make sure to work my hardest everyday. But sometimes swimmers push themselves too far and the coaches realize this and decide to give them the day off. It's the bond between a coach and an athlete that is embodied in this haiku: a relationship of trust, loyalty, and commitment. This is why I love this haiku and also swimming. Caroline |
sitting the bench Morgan Vogels (9) |
in this war Ryan Sikora (7) |
dark duck |
knees bruised Kaia Ball (5) |
birds and i Kaia Ball (7) This haiku is so whimsical and cute. I picture a Snow White-like character chatting with a bird perched outside the window. I imagine that the person is doing some winter baking which often involves nuts, which is a food group birds are rather familiar with. It is interesting that the author chose to not capitalize “I” which to me puts the bird and the speaker on the same level of importance. As humans we often think of animals as lesser creatures, but this chef sees the bird as a peer. Savannah |
baby shoes |
cold rain Jacob Morgan (6) I liked this haiku for the reason I explained in class. The cold rain represents a bad mood and the hot chocolate turns it completely around to make you be in a good mood. The smallest things that you can't control can affect you but then the smallest things can also push you to be in a good mood like if someone makes you hot chocolate. Matthew I like this haiku a lot because it reminds me of Monday. Walking to class, there wasn't much rain. In between my classes though, it was extremely cold and it was pouring rain. By the time I got home to my apartment, I was frozen because of the rain and the fact that it was so cold. I love soup, it's my favorite food (especially when my mom makes it) and I had minestrone in my fridge, which was all I could think about eating when I got home. And drinking a cup of tea, because I love tea as well. I kind of relate to the whole heartwarming thing in that aspect. Morgan |
fuzzy slippers Renee Sample (3) |
sunday morning Morgan Vogels I like this haiku because I feel like it is instantly relaxing to read. Everyone enjoys any morning where they aren't on a tight schedule and can simply just wake up when they wake up. After a week full of responsibilities, it makes this rest day so much more appreciated. Rene |
flowers still fresh |
old finger paints |
busty nightclub Ryan Sikora (7) |
broken doorknob Alexsenia Ralat (4) I love this one personally for the different paths it can take. As we discussed in class, it can be seen from a heroic point of view, where the woman kicks in the door and goes to work saving lives. On the other hand, though, it can be seen from the side of the addict, or person who simply made a bad decision. They see someone storm in just as they're fading away. what if the person barging in is just a family member, imagine the trauma of seeing someone you love in that position. It would be heartbreaking. Doug |
I didn't realize how much Alexsenia Ralat (7) |
new boots |
awoken by Morgan Vogels (8) This is one of my favorite haiku because it reminds me of the peacefulness of Sundays. Most of my weeks are plagued with so many activities and responsibilities that I barely have to rest of sleep that long. But Sunday's are so free that I never have many responsibilities or obligations, so I get to wake up whenever I want to. Ryan |
meeting Morgan Vogels (2) |
angry roommate Owen Pulver (2) |
duck egg Kaia Ball (5) I chose this haiku as a favorite because I think that it really captures the spirit of haiku. In so few words, this haiku is able to bring about strong feelings from a simple image. This haiku especially reminds me of how the extraordinary can slip into the background and become easy to miss. We must look for these things and find the beauty in them. Anna |
lonely Kaia Ball (4) |
under the overpass Kaia Ball (5) I like this one a lot because this was totally me as a kid. I was always digging for dinosaur bones and my dream was to discover a whole new species of dinosaur. I wanted to be a paleontologist for the longest time. Eventually, that changed to anthropologist and now I can't help but feel that I'm cutting myself short in a way by not pursuing anthropology more. Alexsenia |
panting in the woods Alexander Erickson (4) I like this haiku because I can relate to it. Sometimes when I am working out I zone out and don't notice the amount of work that I am actually doing. After completing the workout sometimes I look back to what the workout actually was and I sometimes surprise myself with how easy it was to get through a hard workout. Matthew |
chest pain Alexander Erickson (4) |
the stuffed duck Alexander Erickson (4) Instead of a duck, I see my panda in this haiku. I've had him for almost eight years now and he's one of the last things my grandpa ever gave me. He's kind of like my safety blanket and I love him a lot. He's one of my most prized possessions. Alexsenia |
back and forth with you |
the string of beads Alyssa Becker (4) |
the movie Savannah Riestenberg (5) I like this haiku because it describes the power of music. Music can create any type of mood: anger, fear, sadness, or happiness. In a scary movie, most of the suspense is created by the background music, and the music does not get much credit for forming that fear. Renee |
avoiding touchy topics |
a trip to town Alexander Erickson |
he coughs hard Alexander Erickson |
© 2016, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.