Haiku Attempts 09 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Fall 2021
1 nowhere as fun Priscilla Sabourin (6) |
2 painting on a smile |
3 constellations Trinity Pesko (7) |
4 leaves fall Shay Buchanan (5) |
5 darling Trinity Pesko (6) |
6 birthday Trinity Pesko (7) |
7 shifting eyes Priscilla Sabourin I really enjoyed this haiku because it is relatable and just brought me laughter. As a nursing student I don’t have much homework, but I do have to spend countless hours studying every night for the exams. Sometimes I forget to do other homework because I am so focused on doing well in my nursing class. However, sometimes just getting the mental strength to sit down and do homework is also difficult. Overall, this haiku really embodied not just college students but all students in general. Diana Hernandez, Fall 2021 |
8 showing off |
9 speaking freely |
10 one fork |
11 dry heater air Paul Cushman (4) |
12 studying together Nathan Gallop (9) I absolutely love this haiku. It literally feels as if it was written about me. I have such good intentions when I sit down to study with a friend, but sometimes it can be so hard to focus when they are just sitting across from you—FULL of conversations to be had and jokes to be made. I definitely put effort into focusing so my friends don’t write me off as a study partner, but there are some late nights when I’m feeling particularly delirious and I can’t seem to focus if it could save my life. Anything can be turned into a joke or an unnecessarily deep conversation. I should probably check my grades and reevaluate this tactic, but until then, it keeps me sane. Priscilla Sabourin Fall 2021 |
13 train whistle Nathan Gallop (6) |
14 I’m taking it back Nathan Gallop (5) |
15 open door sunset |
16 the world slows to make me |
17 family I know well Nico Velazquez (6) |
18 through the window Nico Velazquez (7) |
19 trail of slain lovers behind me India Guerrero (9) |
20 spending the day India Guerrero (6) I especially liked this haiku because I felt that it described someone appreciating the hard work that a female figure in their life does on a daily basis. I pictured my mom or step-mom because they are both successful women who I look up to and they don’t complain about how hard they work or how much they take on. I also liked how the third line is “blisters” because the haiku doesn’t really mean that much without it, but one simple word can depict so much about how someone is feeling or what their thoughts are. Reece Brown, Fall 2021 |
21 4.5 billion years |
22 when I grow up Maya Gomez (8) |
23 I wonder Maya Gomez (8) This haiku feels like it’s directed at me in both a funny and a sad way. It just feels so personal because I’ve definitely sat there doing yoga wondering how life is going to turn out. It’s funny how your mind kind of wanders into all kinds of thoughts while you’re sitting around stretching, trying to relax. I do often wonder how things will turn out for me. It feels like everything is so up in the air, which I’m sure is how everyone in their twenties also feels. That’s probably why this haiku hit home for people though. It feels like my own thoughts, which in my opinion is a great haiku. I also like that child’s pose was chosen specifically because it makes me think that the person who’s thinking these thoughts is going back to a childlike state. They’re thinking about happy endings, like a princess, in child’s pose. It has really good wording to make you think a little bit beyond the words. India Guerrero, Fall 2021 |
24 I no longer fear Maya Gomez (8) I love the use of the word “phases” in this haiku. Perhaps there was a phase where you did fear what someone thought of you, but that phase is no longer. We all change. We all have phases, some better than others, some where more of our true selves are brought into the light, just like the moon. This haiku is simple, but it resonates in a serene way—the way in which you wash your hands of somebody and feel nothing but the cool touch of water. Trinity Pesko, Fall 2021 |
25 get your tickets |
26 the sexiest Emily Nicholas (5) |
27 immortalized by poets |
28 don't> look> Mason Hoyt (10) |
29 dead men's laughs |
30 spectacular performance |
31 six feet under Bailey Banks (6) |
32 first sip of white wine Bailey Banks (5) |
33 bird call |
34 ambrosia Bailey Banks (4) |
35 still skin on skin Bailey Banks (5) |
36 one night stand Bailey Banks (6) I love the imagery of this haiku - it’s so beautiful in my mind. The image of a renaissance painting is so ethereal, colorful, other wordly. It almost makes me think of angels in a way. That’s why I especially love that it’s mixed with the gritty image of a one-night stand. That’s probably one of the least angelic things you can do; the least beautiful and ethereal. It’s not magical like those paintings. It just seems like a really great haiku juxtaposition, and I think it was a really smart choice. On the other hand, the renaissance was about the human experience on earth and indulging in earthly desires, so the images pair nicely in that way. It’s just a really good haiku. India Guerrero, Fall 2021 |
37 mistletoe hanging by the front door Reece Brown (7) |
38 the Vietnamese woman Reece Brown (5) |
39 turkey on Thanksgiving |
40 first generation student Diana Hernandez (8) |
41 I kiss my grandparents Diana Hernandez (8) I resonate deeply with this haiku. Believe it or not, I have not experienced the death of a family member in a time where I’ve been aware. Like, my grandpa died when I was two, and my aunt died when I was five, but I have no memories of them that I remember. I trust people when they say that I was my grandpa’s little princess, but I wouldn’t know. Lately, I’ve been dreadfully anticipating getting a call or text telling me that a grandparent has passed. My grandparents on my mom’s side are getting older, and their memory is not doing so well, so lately, I’ve just been cherishing my time with them and hugging them a little tighter when I leave. Allison Durham, Fall 2021 |
42 my baby girl |
43 sundress sleepover Reece Brown (4) |
44 children unearth |
45 morning sunshine Reece Brown (4) I really enjoyed this haiku because it was talking about a dog. It brought back the happy memories I had with my dog before she passed away. My dog was my best friend and having her wake me up gave me comfort in knowing that she was always going to be by my side. It took a long time to adjust to living without her, but this haiku made me remember the happy times with her. Diana Hernandez, Fall 2021 |
46 a heavy thud Shay Buchanan (5) |
47 holding your hand Priscilla Sabourin (11) This haiku is absolutely heartbreaking. I read this and imagine liking someone so much but knowing that they have feelings for someone else. At that point, what do you do? Continue being with them, hoping they’ll get over the person they’re in love with, or break off any chance with them? Reading this haiku, I assume that the author has decided to hope for the best with this person, but they deserve more than that. I felt every emotion poured into this haiku. Allison Durham, Fall 2021 |
48 touch that lingers Priscilla Sabourin (6) This was quite a sad haiku to read. I imagine this was from the perspective of someone who has an anxious attachment style and is unable to healthy depart and connect with people. Nico Velazquez, Fall 2021 |
49 whispering the same things |
50 rabbit in the night Shay Buchanan (4) |
51 big gourd |
52 ink drying |
53 focusing on my career Bailey Banks (5) |
54 asking for a printer Bailey Banks (7) |
55 new restaurant back home |
56 rekindling the fire Alison Durham (4) |
57 1992 Jeep Bailey Banks (7) |
58 first kiss Bailey Banks I don’t know if you’re a very big enneagram person, but I am a type 4 through and through. When I had my very first kiss my sophomore year of high school, I made it a much bigger deal than it needed to be. Not in a normal teenage way, like immediately telling all of my friends and squealing all night about the details, but in a ‘crying because I am now forever separated from a version of myself containing the childhood innocence of never having kissed somebody in a romantic way’ type of big deal. I also insisted that it only be a peck because that’s what I assumed your very first kiss ever should be. I can’t explain why but I felt very strongly about this. To the boy I liked at the time, this was just a split-second kiss shared with a small girl with glasses and braces, but to me, it was an intense moment packed with hundreds of emotional emotions. So yeah, I really tricked myself into thinking it meant something. Priscilla Sabourin Fall 2021 |
59 Christmas eve Bailey Banks (8) I loved this haiku because I found it very relatable and also hilarious. The first line opens up with a setting which gives us an idea of the season and weather. Then, it continues on to describe how someone is feeling about the situation they are in. This person is obviously annoyed, but also most likely finds humor in the argument which I just find so funny and similar to all family gatherings. Reece Brown, Fall 2021 |
60 shattered glass |
61 after after party Bailey Banks (5) I love me some good Taylor Swift, and this was a phenomenal song choice. I often find myself trying to match other people’s energy at parties. If they seem interested in having a conversation, I’m all in, but if they don’t seem interested, I try to cut off conversation as quickly as possible to give them an out. I find myself (as I’m sure almost everyone does) having more energy or laughing louder at jokes when I’m with people that I want to like me. It’s easier to be shiny and bubbly when there are other people to bounce off of or to give you purpose, but when you find yourself alone again at the end of the night, there’s nothing left. Although you still have the ability to glow in each piece of shattered glass that covers your skin, you can’t do it alone. No matter how bright you may have glistened during the night, you always wind up back in the dark when the night is over. Priscilla Sabourin Fall 2021 |
62 it’s complicated. Daniel Clear (7) |
63 secret ingredient |
64 before Alison Durham (4) |
65 if only Trinity Pesko (8) |
66 the other side of the blinds |
67 soggy earth Trinity Pesko (10) |
68 radiator heat |
69 taking me shopping Alison Durham (6) |
70 a cheaper drink Nathan Gallop (9) |
71 the elephant in the room Nathan Gallop (5) |
72 shiny Nathan Gallop (7) |
73 sing us a song, Emily Nicholas (7) |
74 I only wake |
75 in your arms Nico Velazquez (9) |
76 squirrel skitters on stones |
77 Mom’s hand Nico Velazquez (6) This is another haiku that hits home for me. My mom used to always put Vick’s on my chest any time I was sick when I was little. The smell of it to this day brings me back to my childhood and the comfort of being cared for by my parents. Those memories are so nice, even though in all of them I was sick. When I read this haiku, I image myself rubbing that same jar of Vick’s (probably long expired, but literally the same one) on my chest at 21 years old. It really does feel like I’m that little sick kid again being taken care of by my mom. It’s like she’s there putting it on my chest and tucking me into bed. It’s a very true haiku to me. India Guerrero, Fall 2021 This is another haiku that relates to a mother figure and I find this haiku to be so sweet. When it comes to being sick, mothers (for the most part) always prioritize their children and put their needs above their own. Growing up my mom always was there for me when I was sick, no matter how inconvenient. With this being said, my absolute favorite part of this haiku and what I think makes it so special is the second line, “finds my heart”. This was such a sweet way to describe this simple task of rubbing VapoRub on someone’s chest and I felt it brought in a deeper aspect of love between the child and mother. Reece Brown, Fall 2021 I really enjoyed this haiku because it made me remember intimate moments shared with my mom. Whenever I was sick my mom would rub Vicks VapoRub on my chest until I fell asleep. I used to hate the smell but now it provides comfort whenever I smell it. Even when I was away from college the first time I got sick I immediately went to the store to buy Vicks VapoRub and felt slightly better. Diana Hernandez, Fall 2021 |
78 carved turkey |
79 turtle shell Mason Hoyt (7) |
80 candle light |
81 splatter paint Mason Hoyt (4) |
82 moonlight illuminates the frost India Guerrero (7) I love this poem. I imagine two people out on a late night date in the moonlight. It’s the moment just before they’re about to kiss or where one just gets the nerve to ask the other to be their partner, but the author is deliberately waiting for the other to make the next move. Perhaps they made the last move and are making sure that the other is just as invested. New relationships are exciting, and I remember the struggle between being passionate in the moment and strategic in progressing the relationship. You want the person you’re with to be just as into you as you are into them, and this haiku encapsulates that. Allison Durham, Fall 2021 |
83 January wedding |
84 sheer stockings rolled down |
85 lavender eyes Maya Gomez (8) I honestly don’t have the greatest idea of what this haiku means, but I still like it. Lavender eyes is such a beautiful image, as purple eyes are very rare genetically. “you sip your tea/ like god made the oceans” could mean many different things, though. It could mean that the way you sip your tea commands such power and such reverence that it is as if God was creating the oceans. Or, it also could suggest that the narrator and “you” were having an argument about religion, and they sip their tea smugly after winning the argument about whether or not god created the oceans. Trinity Pesko, Fall 2021 |
86 shadowed by you |
87 brick by brick |
88 fresh hair cut Paul Cushman (5) |
89 tuck us in |
90 laying in the grass Maya Gomez (14) |
91 shark bleeds Mason Hoyt (6) |
92 whatwillifind in yourhemisphere Mason Hoyt (6) |
93 I reach the summit |
94 new moon |
95 out of body Diana Hernandez (4) |
96 names waiting Diana Hernandez (8) This was a toxic haiku but directed at oneself. When i gave the prompt “what would like to say to the people in your life as the toxic person in theirs?” I imagine this person took that as “what do I want to say to myself” I’m sure this person has their own values that make them important to people in their life they aren’t quite aware of yet. Nico Velazquez, Fall 2021 |
97 tap through puddles Daniel Clear (3) |
98 learning the curves Bailey Banks (10) |
99 forgiving you like |
101 lone drive to idaho Bailey Banks (4) |
102 a change in her eyes |
103 autumn sunset |
104 plants gathered on the dresser India Guerrero (9) |
105 large fall leaves |
106 self help book India Guerrero (6) |
107 gazing in those eyes Emily Nicholas (11) |
108 clothes hair shoes coat go Emily Nicholas (8) |
109 strawberry chapstick Bailey Banks (4) |
110 no meaning Nathan Gallop (9) |
111 my List grows longer |
112 hands bruised |
113 crack in the floor |
114 am i beautiful? Priscilla Sabourin (7) |
115 a crooked hand |
116 grab my hand in the dark Priscilla Sabourin (8) |
117 praying mantis |
118 upcoming auction |
© 2021, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.