Haiku Kukai 02
Global Haiku • Millikin University • January 2026
1 sun through branches Katiuska Nunez I like how this poem goes from an ordinary walk to a moment of self-reflection. The symbolism is heavy in the breaking shadow, like the speaker is questioning their sense of self, and that truth will come to light. It's another quiet poem with a lot of visual imagery, but I like that it shows how quickly our identity can shift depending on where we are. The haiku leaves the reader to explain the feeling rather than sharing it, which I also really like. Oshea Darrington, January 2026 |
2 worn out barn |
3 gravel under my feet |
4 fence lines go forever Trevor Biggerstaff I love this haiku because it reminds me of road trips when for miles you wouldn’t see anything else but fence lines, corn fields, and cow farms. The smell that come from cows is something that you know without even looking at the cows. It is a very distinct and strong smell that I do not like smelling on a road trip. Alexia Finch, January 2026 This gives me memories as a kid going down South to my grandparents house. The whole way down all you would see is corn fields, and cow fields with endless fence lines. I would always remember the smell of the cows through the car as we drove by. Ava Armstrong, January 2026 I picked this haiku to write about because back home I live across from a cow farm. So, whenever I go outside you can smell the cows and there was a gate up against the road and my dogs would always bark at them. So, I picked this because it reminds me about being home. Elli Sunde, January 2026 |
5 rapid breaths Kyle Goddard This haiku perfectly captures a strong and truly human moment. The brief, hurried lines make the reader feel like they are going through the anguish of childbirth. The transformation feels big and good, like a release and a new beginning, from work and stress to "cries of life." This haiku truly resonates to me because it highlights how one short moment may have a lot of meaning. The poem's strength comes from the fact that it doesn't need to explain the emotion; it only wants the reader to feel it. Katiuska Nunez, January 2026 |
6 pair of dogs pull Kyle Goddard I love this haiku because it reminds me of my dogs and how they have to get walked separately because they are very strong and will cause me to fall if I take both at once. I have fallen once with them and so it brought me back to that time and it just made me remember how hard I laughed that day because it didn’t hurt but it was a silly thing I let happen. I learned from that day and now when I look back, I still laugh just as hard as I did that day. Alexia Finch, January 2026 This haiku captures a moment of pure joy. The image of a woman being dragged down by dogs creates a fun version of chaos that makes you instantly feel recognizable. The poem reminds the reader that not every single fall is a failure, and that sometimes it can become a burst of happiness. Benjamin Howey, January 2026 |
7 peaceful walk Kyle Goddard There’s something honest about the way this haiku admits the feeling won’t last forever. A peaceful walk doesn’t solve everything, but for a brief moment, it’s enough. I imagine someone slowing down and actually noticing where they are instead of rushing through it. That short pause is what makes the line “life is good” feel believable. Andrew Detmers, January 2026 Because it is so honest, this haiku speaks to me. Since "if only for a moment" is used, it shows that the peace is short-lived. This makes the last line feel real instead of perfect. I like how the poem shows a brief time when things can be happy. The words are easy to understand, just like the event. This haiku reminds me that peace can be important and helpful even for a short time. Katiuska Nunez, January 2026 |
8 traffic light Katiuska Nunez |
9 passing dog Katiuska Nunez Haiku number 9 made gave me a very visual scene of me walking my dog and him running after a squirrel while I tried to pull the leash back. I love when Haikus resonates with me in a visual way like this one. That is what makes Haiku so special for me. Grant Reid, January 2026 |
10 crosswalk turns |
11 abandoned football field Gavin Dobson This poem balances humor and imagination in a vivid scene. The abandoned football field shows quiet vacancy, yet the marching ant that “scores a touchdown” breathes life back into the setting, and turns a deserted space into a tiny stadium. The haiku suggests that even when humans disappear, the world continues its own forms of activity and victory, which reminds readers that meaning exists in the smallest of lives. Benjamin Howey, January 2026 Bravo to whoever made this haiku, I loved the scene it made me imagine ! This haiku could be taken in an unserious way or the latter,...I envisioned it as the latter at first; a dramatic moment, an ant charging towards the end zone with a crumb in hand. Or it could just be…a tranquil moment ? I’m not sure how to word it ! I liked the scale this haiku has (if that's even the right word); the mention of a football field makes you vision the whole thing, but the next two lines kind of makes you ‘zoom in’ in your head. Kenraylee Carr, January 202 I like this haiku because while it's generally speaking about loneliness, there's a slight sense of humor to it. Another place that's usually depicted as loud and full of excitement is wiped clean and empty, but there is still small signs of life. The marching ant scoring a touchdown emphasizes the sides of life that usually go overlooked. I like that this poem emphasizes that perspective is everything. Oshea Darrington, January 2026 |
12 yellow bus |
13 the parade Gavin Dobson This reminds me of when my husband’s Navy ship pulled in from a 7 month deployment. Seeing the sailors lining the ship as they got closer was so exciting, but so nerve wracking. I had our first baby only a few weeks after his deployment began, so I had our son who he had never met with me. I was nervous and excited at the same time. We were literally waiting for dad. Bailey Maldonado, January 2026 I picture a large group of families gathered at the dock. The tugboats helping bring a ship into port. Sailors manning the rails. Their dress whites spotless and neckerchiefs blowing in the wind. The ship reaches the dock. Lines are cast, and the ship is quickly moored. The families wait patiently as the gangways are extended, and the sailors begin to disembark the ship. A mom and her two boys are dripping with anticipation. It's been eight months since they last saw their dad in person. Only having the occasional email and recorded video messages until this moment. They see him coming down the gangway. The boys running over to meet him as he steps off. Their dad drops his seabag and scoops them up in one big hug. Mom is standing back to capture the moment with a picture. Making the moment a permanent memory. Kyle Goddard, January 2026 |
14 wind runs with the river |
15 after rain Oshea Darrington The first haiku I picked was number 15. I chose this poem because I liked how simple it was. Whoever wrote it was very observant when taking their walk. Even though the author just wrote a cause and effect after the rain, it provides the reader with deeper emotions. This is based on the way one interprets the poem. For myself, this poem felt very calming and brought emotions such as nostalgia and appreciation. It reminds me of when I was younger and riding my bike with my friends around my neighborhood. We would be outside from 10am to 10pm every day. When it rained, we would ride to whoever's house was closest and hold out there. When I was younger, my friends and I didn't have phones. This meant we had no idea when it would rain. It was simpler back then. I believe that is why the same feeling is carried across when reading the poem. Faith Wilson, January 2026 Haiku number 15 made me feel that everything even after a rainy storm will be okay at the end and everything will go back to normal. That really made me feel a sense of relief since I’ve been going through tough times. I think whoever wrote this had an intent to write it with the purpose of that.Grant Reid, January 2026 It's afternoon and it has been raining all day. Finally, there is a break in the rain, but it's still overcast. A perfect time to go out and get a quick bike ride. A man gets out with his road bike. The streetlights are starting to turn on. As he rides, you can see the trail behind the tires temporarily clearing the rain away the stripes marking the pavement. Almost as quickly as they were made the lines disappear. Erasing the route taken. Ready for a new one to start. Kyle Goddard, January 2026 |
16 watching the kids Elli Sunde This also reminds me of a past life. My kids are either in college or high school now, but thinking of taking them to the park to run off some energy brings a smile to my face. They would run off some steam and laugh the entire time. Then we had to have the agreement that when mom says it’s time to go, no complaining or we won’t come back! Such wonderful memories. Bailey Maldonado, January 2026 Although I can't envision an exact scene for this haiku, I feel like there's a certain…feeling (?) for this. The person could be feeling sorrow, missing the silly parts and carefree moments of childhood. Or maybe they’re having baby-fever, daydreaming of the day they have a child of their own. I don't have much more to say about this haiku! Kenraylee Carr, January 2026 |
17 crisp cool air Faith Wilson This haiku immediately gives me a sense of relief. Breathing in cool air that feels clean makes the moment feel intentional, like a reset you didn’t know you needed. It reminds me of stepping outside early in the morning when everything feels possible again. The idea of a fresh start feels simple but earned. Andrew Detmers, January 2026 |
18 no place to be Faith Wilson This makes me think of a very limited time in my life. There is rarely a moment I am not rushed or thanking of what I have to get to next or do next. These moments, where you have nowhere to be, nothing to be are priceless. To walk and enjoy the very moment you are in is something I rarely get to experience, but when I have, it’s priceless. Bailey Maldonado, January 2026 I like this haiku because it reminds us to relax sometimes. I think that life can get busy and even if you have nothing to do it can still feel this way sometime. I think its important to make time and just relax and feel the breeze. Whenever I get busy in the summer I try and make time to go fish because not a lot of things feel better than relaxing on a boat catching some bass. Trevor Biggerstaff, January 2026 |
19 lights left buzzing |
20 I see wildflowers Elli Sunde
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21 it is rainy Elli Sunde This haiku feels playful and frustrating. The rain isn’t as disappointing, but the cold is which is very relatable. The image of worms coming out because of the rain adds humor. It reminds me of the smell of a good rain in the spring, and makes the scene feel very real. Amy Webb-Braun, January 2026 I liked one because it reminded me as a little kid going outside after it rained, and it would always be cold, especially on a summer day after it would rain. I would remember going out to my black driveway and seeing all the worms squirm along the ground. Ava Armstrong, January 2026 |
22 numb fingers |
23 first warm breeze— Benjamin Howey The second poem I chose was number 23. I really liked this poem because of how it reminds me of spring. Personally, I hate the cold. The idea of warmth is refreshing and motivating to me. The poem itself, aside from evoking emotions, actually tells a story. The first warm breeze paints a picture of the light after the storm. A glimpse of hope in a dark time. The personification of the puddle remembering really brings the story to life and adds another layer to the depth of the story. The flood was a large, fearful thing, and the puddle is now small and instead of fear now it shows resilience. Faith Wilson, January 2026 |
24 12 am Benjamin Howey This creates a strong feeling of surprise, chaos, and OMG! The short lines and mentions of “crashing noises” make the moment feel sudden and loud. I picture someone scared to death, wakened out of there bed to find out thankfully it's just raccoons, but then the mess! Amy Webb-Braun, January 2026 I remember one summer we would have raccoons on our back deck for a whole week. They would try and get into anything they could. They would always leave poop on our deck too. I can remember one night hearing thudding noise and I would look out and see nothing. But our camera would always show a few raccoons on the back deck. Ava Armstrong, January 2026 |
25 chill morning air Benjamin Howey Haiku number 25 gave me a sense of regularity. That once that sun rises every natural thing will happen and go on the same as it always had. That was beneficial to understand as well when dealing with moments where you don’t know what will happen. Grant Reid, January 2026 |
26 early light Andrew Detmers |
27 lights left strung |
28 walking alone Andrew Detmers |
29 walk to the creek Bailey Maldonado |
30 cars in line |
31 rain drops trickle |
32 walking the wrong way Bailey Maldonado |
33 birds argue |
34 sun warms my back Amy Webb-Braun I love this haiku because it just reminds me of when I take walks on a sunny day. Any type of exercise whether it’s a walk, run, or bike ride I just get peace of mind and all my thoughts go away. I like that this haiku brought me back to that happy place that calms my mind from my thoughts and anxiety. Alexia Finch, January 2026 This haiku has a calm and peaceful feel. The warmth of the sun on your back while walking gives a very soothing image. Nature is relaxing this person from their thoughts and bringing them back to the basic senses and the present moment. The worries of the day or life are not relevant in this moment. Amy Webb-Braun, January 2026 |
35 still water |
36 in the school bathroom Alexia Finch I picked this haiku because I finished my first full week of student teaching. Friday was a very stressful day and there were multiple times where I had to go to the bathroom to have a minute of peace. I felt like I wanted to scream add a few of my kids and just have a mental breakdown and cry for the rest of the day. So this haiku was very relatable and happened just recently. Elli Sunde, January 2026 |
37 empty playground Katiuska Nunez This haiku creates a great sense of stillness and echo. The empty playground suggests childhood energy that has suddenly disappeared, yet the swing continues to move and hold the trace of voices, laughter, and motion that came before. It picks up on the theme of lingering presence, and how even when people leave, the world hold their memory for a couple seconds longer, and captures the bittersweet space between action and quiet. Benjamin Howey, January 2026 This haiku makes you feel a profound feeling of loss and transformation. The photo of the swing still moving after the bell rings indicates that energy and memories may continue for a long time, even when the kids are gone. This poetry makes me feel something deep inside because it demonstrates how time passes without mentioning it. The swing's steady movement reminds me of times that don't go away immediately away. The user feels peaceful and thinks about things when they read it. Katiuska Nunez, January 2026 |
38 country road |
39 door creaks |
40 swings clank Ava Armstrong My reason for choosing this haiku was that it reminded me of elementary school. On the recess playground, I used to swing all the time. And of course, being dumb little kids, we made a game of running between the swings, and I remember being the kid on the swing, and I kicked a kid, and he went flying. Which is a memory I forgot about until reading this haiku. Gavin Dobson, January 2026 |
41 fallen leaf Katiuska Nunez This haiku reminds me of the ant haiku I wrote, and I believe the reason I chose it as one of my favorites is that it presents a different perspective on the same topic, which I had never considered before reading it. Gavin Dobson, January 2026 |
42 waiting room |
43 morning dew |
44 quiet afternoon Andrew Detmers This one is my favorite because it's horribly relatable ! In fact, all afternoon I was out at the mall dillydallying with my girlfriends, and I spent most of the evening scrolling on my phone, procrastinating this very assignment. I love working ahead though, but I’m beginning to struggle in finding the motivation to complete assignments like I did when this online class started. Hopefully it comes back to me though, I loved writing my imagined responses but now I just can't, I’ve gotten lazy! Kenraylee Carr, January 2026 |
45 deer at the treeline Andrew Detmers I picked this as my favorite haiku because it is verry relevant to me. Living out in the country I find myself in this situation where you are eye to eye with a deer a ton. It is always a kind of special moment, and even though it is short lived in the moment it can feel like forever. This is one of the things that I miss from now being in Decatur for most of the year. Trevor Biggerstaff, January 2026 |
46 frozen trail Andrew Detmers This poem I think captures a lot in a very simple way. The breath being something we can see for a second running ahead of the speaker and then disappearing symbolizes how temporary parts of life can be. It made me think about presence and how even the proof of being alive can fade so quickly. The simplicity of the writing sets the tone really well and goes with the story itself, which makes the haiku feel reflective but still grounded. Oshea Darrington, January 2026 |
47 a thumping tail Trevor Biggerstaff |
48 grandpa’s words like Trevor Biggerstaff The third haiku I chose is number 48. I loved the comparison between the roof and grandpa's voice. The connection between the two feels so right to me. Rain provides so many with a feeling of comfort or safety. At the same time, so does grandpa's voice. IN my family, everyone stops and listens to the story grandpa is telling, even if weve heard it a million times. Its almost out of respect and love rather than truly loving the story. It reminds me of how much storytelling brings people together. Stories of the present or past, all respected and valued. Overall, I think this haiku was my favorite out of this bunch. Faith Wilson, January 2026 |
49 write your number |
50 bankruptcy filed |
51 cat’s rival Kenraylee Carr |
52 returning home |
53 late night drive Benjamin Howey Late night drives always feel different from daytime ones, and this haiku captures that shift. Music has a way of opening doors you didn’t plan on walking through. The word “creep” makes the memories feel uninvited but not unwelcome. It feels like one of those quiet moments where the past shows up without warning. Andrew Detmers, January 2026 I really like this haiku because I really relate to it. I always have to listen to music when I drive and half of this time is filled with my amazing singing and the other half is filled with thoughts of back when. One song that really does this is Take A Back Road by Rodney Atkins. Whoever I head this I can just imagine being at our old cabin on the Mississippi with all of my family on all of the nice summer nights. Trevor Biggerstaff, January 2026 |
54 in a back alley |
55 unusually warm |
56 sunny park bench |
57 tall weeds |
58 empty beer can Gavin Dobson |
59 hospital hallway Katiuska Nunez During my freshman year of college, I was friends with someone who ended up giving me a concussion. I can relate to this haiku because I had to go to the ER twice and one time I was there for 8 hours and could just hear how loud the vending machine was the whole time I was there. Elli Sunde, January 2026 |
60 on the trail |
61 forever young Randy Brooks |
62 playground closed Faith Wilson |
63 red bandage Elli Sunde The reasoning for me choosing this haiku was that it was common to go to the nurses offices when I was younger. I rode my bike to school and the amount of time I would fall off because I was doing something dumb was often which led me to always be in the nurse's office. Gavin Dobson, January 2026 In a busy aid station, a wounded soldier sits. He was out on patrol and caught some shrapnel from a land mine. It had ripped through his arm preventing from being able to use his hand. The medic patched him up and had him evacuated to the nearby aid station. It was there that the soldier met an Army nurse working at the station. His bandages were saturated with blood and needed to be changed. She removed the soiled gauze and thoroughly cleaned his wound. Packing the wound and wrapping his arm tightly. She told him it was the best they could do there, and he would be getting flown out to have get x-rays and have surgery in the morning. Giving him a nice dose of pain medication to help him sleep for the night. Maybe he'll dream of home. Kyle Goddard, January 2026 |
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© 2026, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.