Haiku Kukai 3 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • January 2016
kissing on my neck Kailey Hurst I like this poem a lot. The meaning I got out of it is a female being loved on by a male. The kissing on my neck really doesn't tell you if it's a guy kissing on a girl or girl kissing on a guy. The second line could go either way because she might be talking about her back being arched or if he like her back being arched. Then I think the end tell it all because it says that their head is in the clouds and I know from experience that a female would usually say that. TJ |
through the Birch forest, Alizarin Salmi This is a special poem to me because I have lost a lot of people that was close to me. So when I did visit their gravesites, I use to always think about being with them one last time and having a conversation. I think everyone in the world has that someone that keeps them going every day and feel like the author lost that person. So when they said that a piece of them was buried, they were referring to a person who was close to them but passed away. The way they put the buried under me was pretty cool to me and painted the images in my head more vivid. TJ I love the imagery in this haiku. The setting paints a beautiful picture in my head of the white and black birch trees. The author does not state the specific time of year and I like that. I imagine it is in the summer or spring, perfect picnic weather, a cool 75 degrees. The picnic table is of pretty lace, so this makes me think it may be more on the romantic side, but perhaps it is two friends (girls because not many guys own lace) that have gathered to enjoy and gorgeous view. Hannah |
my genes forewarned |
our fingers intertwin |
arguing |
Ellis Island Hannah Mahr (5) I find this haiku very moving because of the history in it. When all of those people came over from other countries, they were either on their own, with a sibling, or their families, but they did not know anyone else around them. If any of their neighbors came over as well, it was hard to find them in the crowded rooms. They were surrounded by different people, languages, and cultures. I imagine that it was very hectic when they arrived and they had no idea what they were going to do or where they were going to live. It's such a great story to tell in a haiku, and I believe that this haiku brings those feelings of being alone in a crowded room to life. It is crazy to think about how many families can trace their relatives all the way back to Ellis Island. Heather |
strong hands |
Let us get away . . . Emily Mihalkanin (2) |
beauty in diamonds and pearls |
Mom's perfume Heather Dolye (3) |
moonlight Alizarin Salmi (4) |
cell phone buzzes |
shopping for a dress |
hanging mistletoe Kailey Hurst (2) I picture a home all decorated for Christmas. Garland traces the banister and a fire roars in the fireplace. I imagine a mother and father who are nearing the end of putting up the decorations. The last thing left is to place the mistletoe under the awning. As he hangs the mistletoe, she tilts her chin up and kisses him, but their lips only touch for a split second. A young girl pushes open the door, scared after a bad dream. Alizarin |
as she zips up her |
icy winter wind Megan McGurr (4) |
my prince |
picnic by the headstone Megan McGurr (7) I like this haiku because of the message. When a person loses a loved one, it hurts. When a person loses someone so close to them, it is like losing a piece of them. When at that person is buried under the ground, that part of you is buried under the ground. They might live on in your memories, but it will never be the same. Every time you see their headstone, you are reminded of everything you had with them, and everything you lost without them. I really liked how she moved the word “buried” under the word “me.” It provides an even better visual representation of what the poem itself is stating. Uriah |
time to meet the parents Emily Mihalkanin (7) I liked this haiku because I thought it was hilarious. It definitely made me laugh when I first read it. It is a lighter haiku that is pretty daring. I think it added a lot to this kukai. Everyone was able to laugh and maybe able to identify with it themselves. I like how at first you think the haiku is going in one direction, but then it does a complete 180 and surprises you. I also liked that she only had the word “quick” for the second line. There's still a little suspense as to what the last line will say. Megan This poem here shows some and that is the reason I like it. It don't matter if you are a woman meeting your man's parents or a man meeting your woman parents, the first impression is everything. I know I get nervous every time when I meet my female friends parents because I want them to like me and accept who I am. The first line has the readers thinking its something important and then it all of a sudden just say quick, zip your fly which mean that the person was so nervous that he forgot the little detail. TJ |
our love |
after the divorce Betty Hartnett (2) |
the sixties music Betty Hartnett (3) I picture a grade school aged child staying the night at their grandparent's house for the weekend. They are listening to music while taking a shower. Their grandparent's are both very hip and try staying connected with the interests of their grandchildren. They ask several questions about their favorite music and latest fad musicians. As the child plays one of their favorite songs he tries teaching the uncoordinated grandparent's the new style of dance. They cannot keep tempo and have a hard time understanding the lyrics. They turn off the blue tooth stereo, put in a record, and groove to the music in 4/4 time. Kailey |
sun setting over the ocean Megan McGurr |
swerving through traffic Uriah Walker (5) |
emerald eyes glimmering— Alizarin Salmi (4) I like this haiku because I imagine a woman sitting on her couch in her own house or apartment. She has her fireplace going and her television is turned off and she is reading a book instead. She is sitting there relaxing by herself drinking a glass of red wine. She is perfectly content being alone and enjoys her own company. Reading this haiku I get a sense that she has just went through a breakup recently and she is finally at that point where she has accepted what she needed to and has decided to move on. I see the colors of emerald green and a deep red wine. The wine in her glass shows its deep red color when she sets it down on a table to read her book with the fireplace in the background. The word “glimmering” gives her eyes a shine to them and this word is what made me see the fireplace. The flames flicker in her eyes causing the glimmer. Something about the word “sips” gives a certain calmness to the woman, like she is not worried about being alone. Heather |
a reflection |
muddy prints across the carpet . . . Alizarin Salmi (5) |
two lovers |
curls and press Uriah Walker (2) |
folding the seems |
gently brushing Emily Mihalkanin |
unattractive |
late in the night Megan McGurr (4) I imagine a person lying in bed, awake in the middle of the night. Their mother has passed away, and she used to sing them lullabies every night before bed. The only sound that can be heard is the crickets outside the open window. The crickets have replaced the mother's lullaby. Alizarin I love this haiku because I have experienced the sound of crickets in the night and I love it! It takes your mind to another place, away from whatever it is you're thinking about that is keeping you awake. To help me sleep I have several nature tapes, some of which have cricket sounds in them. I do remember one time, however, when we had a cricket in the basement, which we couldn't find, and that one kept me awake! Betty |
girl's first love Hannah Mahr (2) I liked this one from the kukai because at first I though this haiku was going to be about a young girls first love. The boy who opens her up and makes her feel like no other. But then you get to the last line and it completely switches the meaning. I love it. I like that she added that last line. I think most girl's first love is their fathers. This haiku makes me picture my own father and me. It brings back a lot of memories and love that we feel for them. We always look up to our fathers to protect us. I love them image that this brings to my head. It's a warm feeling that it gives you. Megan |
the last ornament |
my car's noise Betty Hartnett (7) |
white sheets |
you said you loved me |
dark eyes |
my first fire . . . |
eleven steps to go . . . Hannah Mahr (4) This haiku caught my attention right away. I really liked the structure of the poem. It is very original and doesn't follow the typical form that you see in haiku. The poem itself is meant to be read backwards which adds to the poem itself. You can see the steps that the haiku takes. It is climbing to the top and the ellipses and the end means that there is a lot to go. I also like that mountains was used in order to describe the steps that were already taken before realizing there were 11 more to go. When I read this, I took the mountains as goal points rather than steps themselves. The person has so many steps to go in order to reach the top of their goal and it isn't going to be difficult. The mountains give the idea of major strides, that the first 3 checkpoints were already difficult. I can imagine a person getting past the third mountain and heavily sighing as they look up at the 11 more steps they need to overcome in order to reach their goal. Samantha I chose this one because it is experimental in form. The rising of the lines, emulating the rise in the elevation of the mountains really works well in this haiku. The top line, which mentions steps, helps the reader to understand and follow the action in the haiku. Very nice! Betty |
my life at last |
first kiss Betty Hartnett (3) This stuck out as one of my favorite haiku from kukai 3 because of hot relatable it is. I picture a young couple, maybe 15 or 16 years old, having to sneak on the side of the house for a kiss that nobody will see. This is a typical scenario where let's say the boy goes over to hang out with his girlfriend at her house and they want privacy when he is leaving so they sneak around to the side of the house and have to kiss there so the parents won't see. When I read the first two poems I didn't think much about it being a secretive kiss because they were just on the side of the house. However, when I read the last line, it changed the mood of the haiku, and the scenery and picture in my head. Emily |
brushing her teeth Samantha Bies (3) I thought this was a very cute couple haiku. I can just see the two love birds either starting their day by brushing their teeth or ending it before going to bed. The two must have quit a height difference. I imagine her about 5'3" and him close to 6' for him to be able to see in the mirror to brush his teeth. To me, they are a newly married couple living in a small cozy house with a bathroom with only one small sink. Hannah |
large house in the city Megan McGurr (3) |
heavy lift Heather Dolye (5) |
puppy's first snow Emily Mihalkanin (2) |
old window |
he proposes on his knees |
empty wallet Hannah Mahr (4) |
quads smoked |
Eagle soars |
ocean's lullaby |
middle school dance |
only steady Hannah Mahr (5) I am a big fan of the haiku that change the message in the middle of reading it. For instance, when I began to read this haiku, I pictured a couple, going steady for a while and they seem like nothing could break them up. They have been together for almost a year and they seem happy together. Then I saw the last line, “her cat.” This line completely changes the mood and image I have in my head. I also like this poem for its humor. I chuckled out loud when I read this haiku because I thought of my friend who is obsessed with her cat, Shelby. She always jokes about not finding someone to spend her life with so she will just become a “crazy cat lady,” and this haiku is a perfect depiction of anyone who has ever said they will be a “crazy cat lady.” Emily It's okay to only have a cat relationship. They are easier to take care of. Cats can also be easy to relate too. All they want to do is sleep and eat. Especially if you aren't one to exercise, both of you can hang out every day. Cats don't need quality either. Most of the time they are satisfied with an empty box or water bottle cap to play with. If you are worried about dull traits, have no fear, cats have personality too. If they are feeling a certain way they will make sure to let you know. Kailey |
education |
the dragon beside him Samantha Bies (3) |
sweet aromas fill Uriah Walker (4) |
baby's first steps Emily Mihalkanin (4) I enjoyed this poem. It is very upbeat and vibrant. A baby is taking their first steps. The numbers and the spacing of the numbers depict the movement from within the poem. When a baby first learns how to walk they follow this sort of pattern. They take that first big step, then maybe another one. This time not as big. The next couple of steps are a little smaller and they become faster as well. The baby is trying to catch themselves, and then "plop" they fall down. The spacing of the words not only show this action, but it also gives the poem speed. It begins slowly, like the baby's step. Then as the space decreases, the speed increases, until the baby falls. Uriah |
the cat sleeps |
new diploma Hannah Mahr (5) I enjoyed this haiku because it made me laugh. There are so many times that students graduate from school with a degree and think that everything will go up from there, but it's funny just how many people don't get to use their degree. I thought it was funny because I have a feeling that this person will be me. I'm not the most lucky person so it would be just my luck to apply for a job, just to see the person next to me get offered it before I do. I like the light feeling that this haiku gives even though it could potential be a situation that is dark. Losing a job offer can be very devastating for anyone, but this haiku doesn't make you feel that. Instead it takes a more sarcastic and funny way to look at the situation. It is very light hearted and does a good job at getting you to laugh at one's own misfortune instead of dwelling and getting your heart and head in a dark place. Samantha |
early morning class |
her jewelry shines Samantha Bies (3)
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© 2016, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.