Global Haiku • Fall 2018
Dr. Randy Brooks

Zach McReynolds is a sophomore Entrepreneurship major from Peoria, Illinois. His interests include art of various mediums, business, and cultivating communities for his passions to grow in.

A Collection of Reflection

by
Zachary McReynolds

I wrote all of these haiku at different points in this semester that related to different emotions I was feeling or situations I observed/found myself in. I see these haiku as a reflection on some pain I experienced this semester with the last haiku being where I am at now—at a place of contentment.

Reader's Introduction

Zach's haiku perfectly outline the emotion that he is trying to convey to the reader. Although he uses first person statements in many of his haiku, they are just vague enough for the reader to picture it in their mind and make their own. He also focuses on some rough and controversial topics that are very raw to the reader, which is why they evoke such strong emotion. For instance, 

extended uncle
makes another
sexist remark

This is a rough topic for readers because it follows the saying that "you can't pick your family". Often times, despite the fact that the sexist remark may bother you, standing up to the uncle is difficult and frustrating so you simply don't. These emotions are something most people can relate to and it points out the more difficult side of family life. Zach captures these twinges of emotions and gives them imagery through his haiku. ~Mary Callaghan

the notes trickle
navy in hue
melancholy

          going as
  it has             before—
          in circles

separation of church & state
i enter god’s house
to cast my ballot

turbine spins
I shiver as
we look into the sky

words, words, words
i want to shove them
back into my mouth

heavy breathing
your lips press against
my neck

                                S
                                    T
                                       E
                                 R
cigarettes burn      C
as we tell          E
each other     S

trails of stardust
match the trailing
of your words

the hand I reach for
across the border
my wife

rain falls and
soaks my jacket—
it’ll dry later

5AM chirping
a long night spent
talking about the past

baby talk
I think he said
"dad"

the body of Christ—
sweet in the mouth
of poverty

the blood of Christ . . .
the only drink for
her father