Haiku Kukai 11 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Fall 2019
sisters gather for thanksgiving Randy Brooks (3) |
collapsing onto my floor Meghan Hayes (8) |
grandparents got here early Meghan Hayes (9) Holidays are often a stressful time for a lot of families as they try to make sure they appear normal in front of their close relatives. A lot of people like to hide their problems and flaws in front of their relatives to appear as though they have it all together when in actuality they are flawed. One way I interpret this family is one that does just that. The grandparents have arrived for the celebration prior to the family putting on their happy faces. The language in the haiku also seems kind of detached, only referring the mother as “mom” rather than adding a possessive before it. Benjamin Kuxmann, Fall 2019 |
late night drive Meghan Hayes (9) I like this haiku because of how it represents love. The fact that they are in a car yet the person still feels at home shows that home is where your loved ones are. There is nothing intimate about the haiku and that allows the reader to interpret it themselves. This could be a distant memory of a father or it could be recent and be about a boyfriend; whatever the haiku is about it lets the reader place them self into the moment. I also really like how the last line is simply “Home.” This adds to the simplicity of the idea of love. Jessi Kreder, Fall 2019 Sometimes when I have a really bad day of anxiety my boyfriend knows exactly what I need. He texts me that he's here, and I run out the side door and hop in the passenger seat and we take off in to the country and just get lost. We drive until the sun goes down and a little bit longer until my nose is against the window and I'm pointing out the Little Dipper. Maddie Curtin, Fall 2019 I really love this poem because it plays on the idea of home being a person. That concept is so beautiful to me. The idea that a person can be so comforting to you and so wonderful that they become that safe space for you. I think that It is quite beautiful. Although the idea of a physical place being home is cute I love the idea of someone being your home. Cassie Reed, Fall 2019 |
adding up the guest list Randy Brooks (5) |
new son-in-law Randy Brooks He's the missing piece of the family. No one else eats the wings, they always get thrown out. But, here's someone to fill that missing space, so there's no left overs. Everyone's sitting at the table, and when he asks for the wings they all smile, it's a sign that he's the one. I love this so much. Maddie Curtin, Fall 2019 |
sitting alone Michael Hoelting I find this haiku to be very relatable! When I go home, I’m constantly surrounded by friends and family. However, once in a while I want to be alone. This poem reminds me of the times I shut the door to my room and took a deep breath, embracing the time I have to myself. However, this haiku also has a melancholy tone. Sometimes breaks can be lonely, because I miss my friends from school. Being at home brings back a dose of reality. Rebecca Jaffe, Fall 2019 |
cars on the interstate Jonathan Kuebler (14) I liked the two ways to look at this haiku. When I first read it, I immediately thought of my aggressive driving behavior, with a very war like mentality. However, the most accurate interpretation one may argue, would be that this haiku discusses how highways were built as an escape route in case of atomic war. This thought is very scary, and I have a feeling I will think about this idea more often. It is a very interesting thought to ponder about how many people never think about the true reasons these roads were built. Tori Stuart, Fall 2019 |
chilled morning Michael Hoelting I love the language in this haiku. The imagery is gorgeous! I don’t even know what Spanish moss is, but I love imagining an early morning, surrounded by nature while the wind brushes my cheeks. This haiku makes me want to get up in the morning and embrace what the world has to offer me. I want to go explore nature, just like the writer, and see how it can inspire me. Rebecca Jaffe, Fall 2019 |
basketball on the television Jonathan Kuebler (4) |
on the couch |
wishing to be dragonflies Jonathan Kuebler (7) |
gooey fingers Gillian Genardo (6) |
a familiar tune from the radio Madeline Wilson This haiku is beautiful, even though it feels incredibly sad and painful. I don’t know whether they lost the person in the photograph to death, a breakup, a falling out, or some other form of loss, but I know that having only a photograph to remember someone is heartbreaking. I remember when I was going through a breakup, the longer we were apart, the less I could picture his face. Memories of his laugh and experiences we shared were replaced only with the photographs I still had. The tune on the radio makes me think that maybe the author shared that song with the person who no longer exists to them. Lizzie Napier, Fall 2019 |
i hate that i Madeline Wilson (6) |
it was supposed to be a joke Madeline Wilson (6) |
gelato in one hand Elizabeth Napier (4) |
parade float Gillian Genardo (11) I thought this haiku was very comical. This haiku reminded me of years ago when they performed at the Superbowl, and how bands can be so popular one year, but years later people question their existence as a band. In addition, I enjoyed how this haiku unified most students in the class, as many people commented about having the same thoughts when the band was on the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. Overall, this haiku unified the students in our class, and demonstrated how quickly bands can disappear. Tori Stuart, Fall 2019 This haiku made me cackle. It’s always funny when someone has the exact same experience as you do. Since our family always likes to sleep in, we recorded the parade and watched it in the afternoon together while making dinner. When they announced that the Black Eyed Peas would be performing, my brother and I freaked out. I had to look up if the band was still together to make sure that I hadn’t misheard the TV. I was even more confused, and kind of sad, because Fergie wasn’t there when they performed. This Haiku took me back to a funny and happy Thanksgiving experience and it was fun to come across. Lizzie Napier, Fall 2019 |
waking up Victoria Stuart This haiku reminds me vividly of my house when I visit it. My dad’s favorite thing to do when I come home is to have breakfast together. Sometimes we make it together and sometimes he makes it for me. But it’s always breakfast. My favorite memories with my family all revolve around some sort of food. This haiku captures this feeling perfectly. It made my heart warm, which is exactly what poetry should do. Meghan Hayes, Fall 2019 |
gold ring Victoria Stuart (10) |
faded blue denim Alexander Bergland (7) |
deer carcass Alexander Bergland (6) |
grandpa passes wisdom Alexander Bergland (7) |
powdered bruise Victoria Stuart (7) |
puppy kisses Jessi Kreder (5) |
younger cousin Benjamin Kuxmann (7) This poem really emphasizes getting older. The magic of the holidays fade not only as you get older but as younger cousins and family members get older too. Nobody speaks about Santa anymore because nobody around believes in Santa. The magic of the holidays leaving is something that is so sad but it is inevitable. Cassie Reed, Fall 2019 |
call of the crow Jessi Kreder (8) |
older brother Benjamin Kuxmann (6) |
grey overcast Jessi Kreder (6) |
midnight drive Benjamin Kuxmann (9) |
hot cocoa |
so much John DeAngelo (11) This haiku captures what it is like when a relationship is reaching its conclusion. People often get caught up early in how amazing that person is our how great their affection is for another person, but it does not always work out that way in reality. I imagine this as one person doing what they can to try and salvage their relationship even though the other person has already moved on. Benjamin Kuxmann, Fall 2019 |
obnoxious stories John DeAngelo (10) I am brought back to a night last semester. We are in my warm, cozy room the night before classes were cancelled because it was too cold outside. My friends and I decided to have a sleepover in my room. Everyone was wearing their pajamas, brought a snack to share, and came equipped with memories to mull over. Everyone spoke fondly of freshman year tales and the antics that ensued in our time on Dolson 3. I smiled and laughed at these stories because I remember thinking just how silly they were while we were living these moments. However, I did not have many stories of my own to contribute. Freshman year was a dark, hard time for me. I spent more time craving to be somewhere else than ever truly enjoying being here. I spent more time craving to be someone else than ever truly enjoying being me. I get sad knowing I did not get the freshman year experience that everyone else around me seemed to receive, but I am infinitely grateful that I am now embracing, more than ever, my surroundings and myself. Madeline Wilson, Fall 2019 |
Fleetwood Mac on shuffle Cassandra Reed (5) I really liked this haiku because it gives off a very serene vibe to me. I’ve grown up listening to Fleetwood Mac since I was a kid, but I feel like I typically listen to their songs when I just want to feel good and jam out. I also liked this haiku because it reminded me of driving back to Millikin after Thanksgiving break. We had reached the half hour left mark on the drive back and I was starting to get tired. My friend was sitting in the passenger seat of the car and started playing Fleetwood Mac to help me wake up. The rest of the ride we were just jamming to Stevie Nicks. It was really fun! Gillian Genardo, Fall 2019 |
family politics Cassandra Reed (4) |
we counted the minutes John DeAngelo I read this haiku as a sort of funny take on a feeling of betrayal. When you wait so long to see someone again, you start to form a really concrete image of what meeting with them might be like. Role-playing conversations in your mind when you try to sleep at night, looking at old photos, and coming up with an expectation. Finally seeing them again, but they have different hair might lead to a weird feeling, not unpleasant, but a let down from the image built in your minds eye. Morgan Bode, Fall 2019 |
old Playstation Benjamin Kuxmann (5) |
dandelion blooms Benjamin Kuxmann (11) |
quiet night at home Joel Ochoa (4) |
dandelion Gillian Genardo (9) I like this poem because it reminds me of being a child and always blowing them to make a wish. Any time I saw one I would always point it out to my mom so she could see it then I would blow all the little seeds away. I have a could visual to of this scene I can really imagine it all because of the first line standing alone. I also wondered if the wishes were a bad or a good thing because to be honest it felt bad when I read this poem but wishes shouldn’t be a bad thing, I feel like it should be a good thing. Michael Hoelting, Fall 2019 |
movie recommendation Joel Ochoa (6) I am not a big movie person so I have done this many times. There are only certain movies that I really enjoy watching and specific genres. Some of my friends love movies and they always want to watch them but I am just not that into it. But if they are really excited about it I will watch it because I want to make them happy. I might not always like the movie but I enjoy spending time with them. Cassie Reed, Fall 2019 |
early morning rehearsal Joel Ochoa (3) |
midnight anxiety attack Madeline Curtin (11) I love the message of this haiku. The haiku demonstrates unchangeable love, that exists despite the struggles of someone in the relationship. I love the idea of someone loving another person, in all situations. I think too often people congratulate someone on being okay but fail to state that they love them even when they aren’t okay. Yes, it is awesome when people’s mental health is in a good place, but I think it is very important to acknowledge that that person would still be loved regardless of how good or bad their mental health is. Tori Stuart, Fall 2019 |
baby kitten Madeline Curtin (9) I enjoy this haiku because it is relatable. The kitten feels symbolic. When I go home, I feel like there is so much I’ve missed, and it sometimes makes me feel left out. While I’ve been stressed at college, my family is having their own fun adventures. I wish I was there to experience life with my loved ones, and coming home reminds me of that. Rebecca Jaffe, Fall 2019 |
fogged glasses Madeline Curtin (6) I think the point of this haiku is that there is something the person does not want to acknowledge in their life, so they are content being somewhat ignorant of the situation. What I really like about the haiku is that is does not go into incredible detail as to what that situation could be. The fact that its open ended allows the reader to put themselves and any situation of their choosing into the haiku. Additionally, it is the person’s glasses that are fogged up. A person has to wear their glasses all the time so it could be anything. Benjamin Kuxmann, Fall 2019 I like this haiku because it allows for a lot of projection. I see myself trying to wear my glasses outside in the cold winter air, making them all foggy, but still being grateful to have them and be able to see a little anyway. Not being able to see further than two feet without them, I feel lost when my glasses aren’t working at their optimum capacity. So to think of a situation where I would still be happy and feel safe with them foggy must be a pleasant place. Morgan Bode, Fall 2019 |
left on the ground Charlize Pate I originally did not see this haiku when doing the kukai in class as it is at the bottom of the first page and very easy to skip over. After going over the paper again, I saw this haiku and absolutely loved it from the first read. The imagery is so vivid and there are so many meanings that could be interpreted from this simply written haiku. It utilizes simplicity and a present moment to draw the reader in and I thought it did that beautifully. I just really like this haiku because of the previously stated reasons and I wish it could have been recognized during the kukai in class. Joel Ochoa, Fall 2019 |
Charlize Pate (4) |
dirty window |
pretending to love Cassandra Reed (4) |
dry turkey |
steaming casserole Alexander Bergland (12) |
lost in the night Alexander Bergland (10) I really liked the feeling that this haiku gave me. Although it was a feeling of loneliness, it was a happy loneliness. I felt like I was content to just be myself and watch the birds all night long. I find myself being content on my own a lot of days. So, I was definitely able to relate to this haiku. The second line was my favorite line from this haiku. I think it provided imagery and complemented the first and last lines very well. Jon Kuebler, Fall 2019 My grandmother was a bird whisperer. Granny, quite frankly, could have been mother nature and I would not be surprised. She could make any dead plant come to life and animals gravitated towards her. Maybe it was because she struggled to connect with other people and nature felt the need to fill that hole for her. She died way before it was her time. She was only sixty-two when she died, and it was due to complications in her routine pacemaker battery change. I think her ideal afterlife is full of birdsongs and endless gardens and a sunflower field that stretches for as far as the eye can see. Madeline Wilson, Fall 2019 |
flipping through my journal Alexander Bergland (13) It is easy to forget the gravity of feelings when you are far removed from them. I think this haiku encapsulates that feeling. I remember when I went back through my angsty breakup poetry when I went through my first heartbreak when I was sixteen years old. Initially I wanted to go back in time and tell sixteen-year-old Madeline that she did not understand the smallest bit about pain. And maybe she didn’t. But to her in her perception of reality, she understood it better than anyone else. And at the end of the day, it does not matter what anyone else thinks or feels about it. She felt every single piece of that angst she wrote in her breakup poems. Madeline Wilson, Fall 2019 |
phone number Cassandra Reed (12) This haiku made me sad. I don’t memorize a lot of phone numbers, so putting in that much work for a person and then just being ignored is horrible. Charlize Pate |
talking with grandmother Meghan Hayes (5) |
white belly of a hawk |
income statement |
never getting the chance Jonathan Kuebler (5) |
homecooked food Meghan Hayes (5) |
stuck at the kid's table Meghan Hayes (10) |
cold oatmeal |
boyfriend's sweatshirt Madeline Curtin (4) |
fifth visit Madeline Curtin (5) |
oil stained denim Morgan Bode (5) This haiku takes me back in time. I love sensory haiku, and this haiku reaches all of my senses. I can feel the cold water and suds drying out my skin. I can hear the scrubbing of denim on metal. I can smell, for some reason, pine scented soap. I can see the clear water turn slowly black from the oil. The other thing I love about this haiku is the last line. “Soldier suds” is such a creative use of alliteration and wraps this haiku up perfectly. Lizzie Napier, Fall 2019 I really liked this haiku because of the imagery that is used in it. When I first read this I immediately got this very old-timey feeling. I pictured this family during the Great Depression. I saw a woman sitting outside scrubbing her family’s clothes on the washboard. Her fingers are cracked and bloody from the constant motion of scrubbing. As she scrubs the denim jeans, the suds continue to grow. I think this haiku is just so cool! I love the historic vibe I get. Gillian Genardo, Fall 2019 |
babydoll dress Morgan Bode (4) |
paper winter skies Madeline Curtin (10) |
friday night Madeline Wilson (9) This haiku got me in my feels when I read it. I may be a little biased to this haiku because it’s actually written about me, but I thought it was brilliantly written because it has so many layers that can be divulged while reading this haiku. The word “audience” can mean so many things and I think it is a word that can imply so much. While I know the literal meaning of the haiku, I thought thinking about the deeper meanings that it could attribute to add so much to it and that is why I enjoy this haiku a lot. Joel Ochoa, Fall 2019 This was sad and interesting. At first it seemed a little impersonal because the word “audience” was used, and I saw it as a sad replacement for staying on your couch at home and watching a replay of a concert on tv that you’d never go to, and that made an odd juxtaposition with the fact that it was the speaker’s friend. But I too went to see Joel in Spring Awakening and now I’m disturbed about that again. This was a very good one. Charlize Pate
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lactose intolerance Madeline Wilson (10) So, this is every lactose intolerant person I know. My brother, most specifically. He loves cheese and ice-cream and pretty much everything if it’s made of dairy. He does not care. We used to buy lactose free milk. We gave up. Charlize Pate |
hippo campus melody Madeline Wilson (12) I really liked this one because of the subtle brilliance of the word choices used. The hippocampus is the place where memories are stored in the brain and I thought it was so well done that this haiku brought up this topic into the haiku because it adds so much. I thought the way it was written was beautifully done and the word play is one of the best double uses I’ve seen in a haiku. The first line is also so interesting and it drew me in as a reader. Overall, this haiku is just very well written and I enjoyed it quite a lot. Joel Ochoa, Fall 2019 |
green grass hidden under John DeAngelo This haiku made me very happy. I remember going on picnic dates and being full of joy. I think a picnic date on a perfect afternoon outside where it isn’t too warm, but the sun is shining is one of the best dates ever. You can totally immerse yourself in your partner, and the setting just makes the mood so warm. I really liked the use of green and then the world colorful in the next line. It but bright colors in my mind which reinforced the feeling of happiness I felt. Jon Kuebler, Fall 2019 |
quiet morning |
heavy snowfall John DeAngelo I’ve never hunted, and I don’t even eat animals, but this haiku feels so familiar to me. Maybe it’s because there is a tradition of hunting in my stepdad’s family and I grew up hearing stories about deer hunts. This haiku feels very familial to me in some way and has a clear “circle of life” vibe to it that just makes a lot of sense. There is a level of clarity in this haiku, and the image created is distinct. The alliteration between hangs and hunters also makes the haiku sound sharp when read aloud and helps create a nice soundscape. Morgan Bode, Fall 2019 |
ocean waves John DeAngelo (8) The first thing I thought of when I read this poem was the movie Moana when the water waved at baby Moana when she had to go. The whole idea of this haiku though is beautiful to imagine because I can see crystal blue water that is very calming with little bitty waves. In those waves there is a beautiful girl sitting in the water with her eyes pocking out and the color is baby blue. It almost seems like her eyes are the wave and you almost get hypnotized by her eyes and how amazing they are. Michael Hoelting, Fall 2019 |
mountaintop view Joel Ochoa (8) I feel that this haiku really embodies life. I envision a person standing on this large mountain top, a little tired from the hike, but is enjoying the view and is happy with their accomplishment. It leaves the reader with a feeling of happiness and beauty. To me the mountaintop is a view of life. There are highs and lows and that’s what makes life so beautiful. What would a mountain be without peaks and valleys, just like what would life be without days of happiness and days of sadness. The highs and lows make life worth living; they make life beautiful and not a plain landscape that seems insignificant. Jessi Kreder, Fall 2019 The perspective of this haiku made it stand out to me. I liked the idea that once you reach the top of the mountain you can see the highs and the lows. It made me feel like once you accomplish something you can really see the struggles and highs you went through on your way there. I liked the idea that I may not what I valleys and climbs I am going through right now, but once I reach the end, they will all be visible for me to see. Jon Kuebler, Fall 2019 |
footprints in the sand Joel Ochoa (4) |
amethyst sky Gillian Genardo (14) |
hand in hand Gillian Genardo (9) All I feel when I read this haiku is happiness. Pure joy. The image of a downpour is usually one that correlates with sadness but in this case, it is filled with joy. The idea of the people running hand in hand shows that it doesn’t matter what happens to them, they will get through it together. I just absolutely loved this haiku. Meghan Hayes, Fall 2019 |
wet hair soaks my shirt Jessi Kreder (6) |
yellow bouquet Gillian Genardo (11) |
the smallest ring— Jessi Kreder (6) I really liked this haiku because I thought it was very cute. The imagery is very strong and it just resonates this sweetness. I pictured this guy proposing to his longtime girlfriend. He’s a little embarrassed because the ring is not what he pictured giving her. He wanted a big diamond, but he couldn’t afford it. As he gets down on one knee, he is incredibly nervous. As soon as she sees him get down on one knee, she starts to cry from happiness. She doesn’t even notice the size of the ring because she loves him so much. I just see this really beautiful scene when I read this. Gillian Genardo, Fall 2019 |
being dumb Michael Hoelting (6) |
in your eyes Jessi Kreder (7) |
cold toes |
thunderstorm Michael Hoelting (7) |
watching my cousins |
morning run |
lights out Randy Brooks (15) We love to fall asleep next to each other after a long day. We turn the lights out and cuddle for ten minutes until rolling over to our respective sides and dozing off, but not before a quick kiss, which usually takes a few attempts to find each other. I've never liked falling asleep in complete darkness, but with him, I don't mind. Maddie Curtin, Fall 2019 |
icy glance Benjamin Kuxmann (8) This haiku makes me feel very uncomfortable. The “icy glance” and “words freeze” leaves the reader with an uneasy feeling. To me it makes me feel that a person has just received bad news and it stunned. They feel their chest get heavy and freeze and they don’t know what to so. The icy glance makes me think that the person receiving the bad news has glazed over eyes and has lost emotion due to their shock. Jessi Kreder, Fall 2019 |
unsure Charlize Pate (14) |
one week later Randy Brooks (10) |
shooting pains Morgan Bode This haiku made me warm. Its’ vague depiction of the subject makes it easily personalized by the reader. For instance, my mother and I both have trouble with our wrists, so this haiku immediately brought me to moments where we lament to each other about our symptoms. It brought a smile to my face, which I appreciated. Meghan Hayes, Fall 2019 |
honey on the table Rebecca Jaffe |
mountain top Victoria Stuart I like this poem because it reminds me of being a child and always blowing them to make a wish. Any time I saw one I would always point it out to my mom so she could see it then I would blow all the little seeds away. I have a could visual to of this scene I can really imagine it all because of the first line standing alone. I also wondered if the wishes were a bad or a good thing because to be honest it felt bad when I read this poem but wishes shouldn’t be a bad thing, I feel like it should be a good thing. Michael Hoelting, Fall 2019 |
bursting dam! |
punk rock niece |
away at college Benjamin Kuxmann (8) |
he has no neck |
the world spins backwards |
oh hello! |
is love real |
fried green tomatoes Madeline Wilson (6) |
snow angels in the yard Madeline Wilson (7) |
© 2019, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.