Haiku Kukai 01 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • January 2026
1 snow day |
2 winter coat |
3 snowy day Ava Armstrong I love this haiku because it brings me back to snow days from when I was younger. I would get so excited when I woke up to my mom or dad telling me that there is no school that day so I would stay snuggled up in my bed in my pajamas and get some more sleep. I loved snow days because even when I played in the snow I would still wear my pajamas under all my layers then go inside to drink hot cocoa and watch movies the rest of the day. Alexia Finch, January 2026 This haiku makes me think about one of the many joys of girlhood. School got cancelled and you got called off for the evening; about 5 inches of snow rests outside, and with plenty more to come. All your girls are free today too, giving you and your friends the perfect opportunity to yap on FaceTime together all day long. Of course, the scene/scenario for this haiku sounds awfully broad, like for example this haiku sounds like it could apply to friends of any gender in high school, or friends of any gender out of school. My first thought was just girlhood because of how cozy it sounds, and it's such a vibe too ! A long phone call/facetime with friends while dillydallying all day in your home sounds like a dream (only in the right situation, I personally hate facetimes/phone calls unless the conversation is actually interesting and everyone present is engaged). I’m going to miss when “winter” is over because that means the possibility of this happening will be zero…until next winter. anon, January 2026 |
4 icy sidewalk Katiuska Nunez This haiku feels small on the surface but carries a lot of meaning underneath it. The danger of the haiku isn't anything glaring, an icy sidewalk, but the emotion at the core of it comes from the grip of the hand. This can lead to a multitude of emotions - love, fear, joy, nostalgia - all at the same time. It brings me back to my own childhood when your safety isn't common sense, but rather something to be taught. The most striking part of it is what the writer isn't saying, the trust that comes with the hand holding, the unspoken bond between a child and the willing to trust their mother to guide them. Oshea Darrington, January 2026 |
5 Grandma’s embrace |
6 frosty playground Oshea Darrington I like this haiku because it makes you think back when you were a kid. When I would play on the playground and it was cold outside me and my friends would look at our breaths and see who had the more prominent one of the group. Being an intern in an elementary school you can see that kids still look at each other's breaths and think it's so cool. Elli Sunde, January 2026 |
7 favorite flower Kyle Goddard This is a sad one. It makes me feel sadness thinking of burying a loved one. You stand at the cemetery, the last piece of burying your loved one. The visitation has ended, the funeral is over, this is the last step. The casket sits there, looking so lonely, ready to lower into the ground. Then, eventually, you have to walk away. Bailey Maldonado, January 2026 |
8 stoic composure |
9 hands in cold water |
10 boots missing |
11 your voice fades away Oshea Darrington This one feels restrained, like the speaker is trying to stay ahead of their own emotions. The fading voice suggests distance growing slowly, not all at once. “No missing you… yet” feels honest, almost defensive, as if the loss hasn’t fully settled in. It reminds me of moments when you know something will hurt later, just not right now. Andrew Detmers, January 2026 Again going back to a childhood and this seems like you were leaving school and either you were talking to your teacher or friend that is going home. It can also be from kids going to school and missing their parents. Overall I like how many ways you can look at this haiku and the differentiation in how this haiku can be seen or used. Elli Sunde, January 2026 |
12 rental skates Kyle Goddard |
13 frozen swing set creaks Grant Reid I liked this one because it reminds me of being in elementary school and going for outside recces. I remember going to the swings and the chains being bitter cold and the seat having ice, or rain on it. No one wanted to be the first person to sit on the swing. Ava Armstrong, January 2026 |
14 night rain on the roof Grant Reid There’s a calm stillness in this haiku that feels very real. Listening to rain without doing anything suggests letting go of responsibility for a moment. Being almost asleep puts the speaker in that in-between state where thoughts drift but don’t linger. It feels like rest without effort. |
15 mittens hang from lines |
16 empty bus seat here |
17 snowball hits my face Amy Webb-Braun |
18 wind flies in my hair |
19 coat zipper stuck Benjamin Howey This also gives me childhood memories. I remember being hard headed and wanting to zip my own coat, but I always would get it stuck. I can visually see the zipper being off the zipper, and be struggling trying to pull it the rest of the way up. Ava Armstrong, January 2026 I like this haiku because this is something everyone struggles with at least once in their life. Just today I was helping a student because their code zipper would get stuck on the material and they can only get it halfway up and I help them because they were struggling. I like how this haiku isn't something they pulled out of nowhere but it's something that everyone can relate to. Elli Sunde, January 2026 |
20 snow falling |
21 cold metal |
22 pulling of a fishing pole Trevor Biggerstaff I also liked number 22 a lot. I really enjoy fishing and I enjoyed the visual that the haiku gave me. I can clearly look back and visualize myself reeling in my personal best largemouth bass and seeing it jumping out of the water and the sounds of the splashing it made. Benjamin Howey, January 2026 This haiku feels very active and exciting because each line shows movement. I can clearly imagine the tension of the fishing pole bending, the sound of the reel spinning, and then the sudden splash in the water. The short lines move quickly, which matches the fast action of catching a fish. I like this haiku because it puts the reader right into the moment and uses sound and motion instead of explaining feelings. Katiuska Nunez, January 2026 |
23 winter parking lot |
24 quiet snowfall Benjamin Howey I'm drawn to this one because of how alone it feels. The contrast between the snow being quiet while the streetlight is groaning paints the whole scene as being exhausted and human-like. I imagine standing in the middle of the night surrounded by my thoughts since there's nothing else to steal my attention. The only thing drawing any type of a spotlight is the streetlight itself, which would only make me feel smaller in comparison. It goes from something mundane into a streetlight that is keeping the writer company, and that sense of being alone doesn't feel completely empty. Oshea Darrington, January 2026 |
25 fuzzy socks Randy Brooks This was my favorite one. This is definitely a childhood memory but also still happens today. I can imagine walking on the kitchen floor on a cold winter morning, and all of a sudden one of my toes gets cold. It always happens to my good socks, but I hate throwing them away. Ava Armstrong, January 2026 |
26 breathing in the cold Andrew Detmers It's a snow day and a couple of friends are out playing. They have been sledding all day and are exhausted. Dusk is drawing near and it's almost time to go home. They look at each other and without speaking they know what the plan is. Sprinting to the top of the hill with their sleds for one last ride. Kyle Goddard, January 2026 |
27 streetlight snow Andrew Detmers This haiku made me think about Christmas Eve night when kids will wait up for Santa. If you live on a busier road, you will have streetlights. I always like to watch the snow hit the lights during the night. I had lights on my road when I was little, so I remember looking out my window and being able to see the snow go under the lights and remembering how beautiful it was to watch. Elli Sunde, January 2026 |
28 chalk dust |
29 can’t fall asleep Katiuska Nunez I love this haiku because it reminds me of when I was a little kid or even now when I would be super excited or anxious for a certain day that I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I really think this haiku connected to my inner self in the way that even as an adult I get restless for exciting days or events to happen. I just think about that special day all night until it actually gets there and then I am tired when the adrenaline and excitement finally wears off. Alexia Finch, January 2026 This is something I often find myself doing as well. I can imagine myself laying in bed tossing and turning all night. While I keep thinking about the next day. This often happens when I have something super exciting, or something “scary”. I can see myself trying to force myself to sleep but my mind isn’t letting me. Ava Armstrong, January 2026 The reason I like this Haiku so much is because I can relate to it. I am currently playing golf for Millikin and have played for most of my life and this haiku perfectly describes a lot of hotel rooms. Even outside of tournaments, before a lot of out qualifiers I can lay awake in bed, just thinking about the course, what to do, what not do to, and everything that could happen the next day. Even if I try to take my mind off it, I always go back and repeat it for hours until I finally fall asleep. Trevor Biggerstaff, January 2026 |
30 sunset in the mirror Katiuska Nunez I love watching a good sunset. It makes me feel calm, and relaxed. Especially after a long day at school or work. So I can greatly relate to this. I can feel the calmness as I sit in my car in the driveway, with the car still running. I can hear the music and air blowing quietly. I can see the sunset colors reflect on the side of the house, and on my face. Ava Armstrong, January 2026 I chose poem number 30 because I really related to it. I could imagine myself doing exactly things after work. Once I park, I usually sit and take a couple deep breaths while I finish the song I'd been listening to. To me this poem felt calm and like a breath of fresh air after a long day. The moment you can finally let your shoulders fall and untense. Depending on reader, this poem can be taken in many ways. Anticipation, anxiety, content, dread, and so on. I really like this poem because of how simple it yet carries complex emotions. Faith Wilson, January 2026 |
31 long after the sirens stop |
32 bumpy sidewalk |
33 late night drive xxxx |
34 boots dripping at the door Bailey Maldonado The first thing I picture is the mess that comes with winter, the kind you don’t bother cleaning right away. Dripping boots and scattered salt feel ordinary, but the early darkness adds a heaviness to the scene. It feels like the season closing in, day after day. This haiku captures that quiet frustration that comes with winter routines. Andrew Detmers, January 2026 |
35 long beats of silence |
36 they always say anon Haiku # 36 reflects major life decisions, such as choosing the right partner, career, or deciding to have children, moments that are deeply personal and life changing. This is something we can all relate to; I think that is why it was my favorite. It brings up a very relatable core issue/feeling. It challenges the common idea that “you’ll just know”, showing how the head, heart, and gut often fail to work together to provide clarity. This disconnect creates an inner struggle between doing what feels right and possibly protecting yourself and the people you love. Situations can be different, but the feeling of uncertainty remains the same, leaving the question: how do we really know? Amy Webb-Braun, January 2026 |
37 snowfall at dusk anon This one is my #1 favorite because I was able to experience this moment in early December. We had gotten like 5-6 inches of snow in the evening, and I had nothing better to do, so I decided to go outside to watch the snowfall. It was a peaceful snowfall, no wind was blowing, and it was very light too. The streetlights added to the ambiance, I’m not sure how to describe it but it was as if they were the cherry on top. In a world like ours today, we don't really get many opportunities where we just stop and appreciate a moment in time when outside in nature. Or maybe we do have the time, but it's not the first thing on your mind to do or you’d rather do other things. anon, January 2026 |
38 snowball hits my face |
39 wind flies in my hair |
40 the wrench slips Kyle Goddard I really liked number 40. It is very relatable to me as someone who likes to work on things a lot. It is especially worse when working in a really cold environment. I have plenty of memories of my hand slipping and smashing into other metal parts. Benjamin Howey, January 2026 |
41 eyes wide Alexia Finch Haiku # 41 was in my top two because it is a clear and comforting image. The childlike excitement of “eyes wide” and the presents under the tree suggest anticipation and joy. The phrase “warm home” adds safety and belonging. I like how this haiku balances possible uncertainty with comfort, showing how life moves between moments of “is this really happening” maybe doubting, to warmth and reassurance. Amy Webb-Braun, January 2026 This haiku immediately made me think of childhood excitement. Wide eyes suggest wonder and anticipation, especially paired with presents waiting under the tree. The phrase “warm home” grounds the moment in safety and comfort. It feels like a memory held onto long after the moment itself has passed. Andrew Detmers, january 2026 |
42 whistling of the night |
43 salty mist breeze |
44 kids on the sled Elli Sunde This haiku makes me feel good and cozy. I can see kids laughing as they are pulled on a sled. The concluding statement, "Things don't go perfectly," makes the action seem real. The lyrics are easy to understand, but they represent a family event that many people can relate to. This haiku is great because it depicts movement and fun from childhood without trying too hard. Katiuska Nunez, January 2026 |
45 singing loudly Alexia Finch This is another haiku I liked because you can relate it back to you as a child dancing in the rain and singing to a song that's either stuck in your head or if you have been listening to music and can hear music. This can also be as an adult where you might be at a concert, and it could start raining but the concert still goes on. I like how anyone could relate to this haiku instead of only a few relating. Elli Sunde, January 2026 |
46 snowing outside Elli Sunde This haiku feels cozy in a very specific way. Snow outside already creates distance from the world, and adding hot chocolate and a favorite movie makes the moment feel intentionally safe. It reminds me of nights when nothing else mattered except being warm and still. There’s a comfort here that feels earned, like settling in after a long day. When I first read this haiku, it reminded me of home. I am from Florida, and although we do not really get snow, one thing that does happen is that the weather gets colder. Around December, one of my favorite family traditions is making hot chocolate and watching the polar express. Thinking back on these memories, I am not sure how this tradition started, but it is a memory I will feel nostalgic about and look forward to every year, which this haiku reminded me of. Gavin Dobson, January 2026 |
47 layover bathroom break |
48 consciousness hits |
49 pizza in a box Amy Webb-Braun The new year approaches and like many people, this person has decided to try and start a new diet to lose a few pounds for better health. Knowing that the diet will restrict them from eating some of their favorite foods as often. They treat themselves to a Casey's breakfast pizza. They drive to pick up the pizza. Driving back the smell is almost too enticing. Rushing home to finally get what they want. No time for plates, just time for pizza. Sitting down and turning on the latest Netflix series. They eat right out of the box. The first slice goes quickly, almost inhaled. Next thing they know the pizza is half gone. One last fling before the start of the new diet. Kyle Goddard, January 2026 |
50 weekly paycheck |
51 geeked on |
52 pizza day |
53 head in hands |
54 one wrong turn Randy Brooks |
55 speaking to the stars |
56 morning mirror |
57 a hopeful smile |
58 clean kitchen Katiuska Nunez |
59 treehouse Andrew Detmers This haiku made me remember a long-lost memory that I had forgotten. Back in elementary school my best friend at the time, Hayden Hooks, had a treehouse. Over those summers after baseball games, I would go over to his house and spend the night, and he had a tree house. All these memories came flooding back, like my first time being in a tree house, swimming in his pool, or even waking up and watching cartoons while eating cereal. Gavin Dobson, January 2026 |
60 before bed Katiuska Nunez The second poem I chose was haiku number 60. I chose this poem because it really spoke to me. IT made me feel calm, relaxed, and even comforted. I like how the author used personification to make the house come alive, as well as how the author connected a common experience and shared it with their surroundings. It speaks about the way everything seems to settle and quiet down at night. The scene reveals peace through a time that is often overlooked and unnoticed. Faith Wilson, January 2026 |
61 hospital room |
62 fresh sheets on the bed Amy Webb-Braun This makes me think of the typical weekend for the typical American adult. We work all week, then every weekend it’s time to clean, do the laundry, and all the chores hat have been pushed aside the last 5 days. By Sunday evening, the chores are done, and we can finally exhale, sit down, and relax. Then, at the end of the day Sunday, we get to curl up in bed on top of our freshly washed sheets and start all again Monday morning. Bailey Maldonado, January 2026 |
63 love of the sport Gavin Dobson |
64 elevator hums, Grant Reid |
65 streetlight flickers off |
66 late night silence Katiuska Nunez |
© 2026, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.