water boils
billows of frothy steam
my stomach rumbles

squeeze on the bristles
baby blue strip
cool mint

two scoops
jet black
no cream, no sugar

Vance Martinez (6)

This reminds me of waking up in the morning, knowing I’m about to take on a big day. The haiku is short and straight to the point, just like my attitude is about to be. I picture myself making this strong, black coffee and preparing to accomplish a long to-do list. It’s time to get down to business. Bailey

This Haiku could be very relatable to a person who enjoys the scent or the taste of coffee. I can just smell the fragrance of the coffee brewing as I read this haiku. I personally prefer sugar but it doesn’t matter if I get the smell the aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee. The two scoops mentioned are briefly mentioned, it’s simply written to be just enough for the reader. Tori

In can relate to this Haiku so well because I love coffee! gotta have my coffee every morning. I make my coffee every night before I go to bed so it will be ready when I wake in the morning. However, I add cream and Splenda. My favorite coffee is Highlander Grog and you can find it at Schnucks. Kim

cowboy hat and guitar strings
lost dreams
writing a new song

Sean James (2)

electric drum set in the corner
aggression in the beat
therapy

Sean James (2)

This poem speaks volumes with a few words. The word aggression used to describe the beat was perfect because it gave the pounding force and strength behind it. Even the term “therapy” gives the idea and sense of release. Everything about this poem is therapeutic for me when I read it. Danni

I also like this one because of how well it paints an image in my head.I do not play the drums but there are things that I find very therapeutic. I remember nights as a child where I would just sit in my room and cry the only thing that helped was getting my notebook out and writing poetry it was kind of an escape. After I finish the poem I’d always feel better, later in life someone introduced me to volleyball and when I get on the court it’s like all of my problems disappear and all that matters is the game. That feeling was also very therapeutic for me. Marissa

waves crashing on the shore
sky blue shirt
begging for direction

after killinga spider,
how lonely I feel
in the cold of night

on a mission
to sucess
after doing time

Elijah Henry (5)

boom goes the thunder
pitter pat
of little feet

Kimberly Dial (5)

I use to be scared of thunder when I was a kid. But when I’m outside when it thunders I act a little scared. When I’m in the house and hear thunder I literally sprint to my bed a get under the covers. Elijah

nightfall,
too dark to read the page
too cold

the lamp out
cool stars enter
the window frame

Elijah Henry (5)

for love and for hate
I swat a fly and offer it
to an ant

miles apart
same sky and
moon

Danielle Morgan (4)

I enjoy this haiku because I rarely get to see my father. I am aware that we see the same stars and the same moon but we are so far away. This haiku is very relatable to anyone with a distant love one that is missed and thought about. Tori

I like this Haiku because it explains the vastness that one experiences when they observe the night sky.  I get the feeling that this person was maybe trying to articulate being in love with someone who is not near to me, but that they share the same sky and moon. I find it to be very romantic. I also get the thought of the moon and the sky always appearing the same no matter the night, even though things change here so it represents a kind of consistency of nature. Vance

my growing belly
you flutter inside
until we meet

an exposed navel
my scars of love
our bundle of joy

school girl crush
check
yes or no . . .

Marissa Holloway (3)

candlelight surrounds me
I sink
into a bubble bath

Bailey Welch (5)

I love taking bubble baths, so that is why I loved this one. I can feel the warmth of the water surrounding my body letting the water drown the worries of the day. The candlelight is adding warmth too and setting a relaxing mood. Kim

the look of ginger in her hair
in seductive red dress
it's her

Datoria Parker

For this one, I immediately think of Rita Hayworth wearing a red dress and distracting an interested spectator. I imagine her hair being long, think with waves that accentuate the red color against the red of the dress. I also thought about sailor tattoos that had women on the bicep. I think the descriptive choices that were made were well done and the use of “seductive” allows the reader to know right off the bat that there is a sexual undertone to the scene. Vance

mother and daughter
teary eyes locked
something borrowed

Marissa Holloway (5)

the night grows cold
he pulls me closer
sharing his warmth

Bailey Welch (5)

dear rainy night
oh my soul
cries for you

Kimberly Dial (7)

On long, busy days I imagine myself laying in bed listening to a rainstorm. It gives me a calming serenity in the middle of chaos. My heart is longing for that calmness of being in my bed during the rain. I like the language in this one as well. It uses very strong and powerful words (“my soul cries for you”) to describe something so quiet and soothing. Bailey

This poem makes me think of someone who is lying in bed curled up with under heavy blankets, longing for it to rain. I can smell the damp air (right before it is about to rain) and feel the excitement and anticipation of the down pour. Danni

a moment of serenity
his smile is bright
as he orders another beer

my chapped lips . . .
I smooth them
on a snowy night

Elijah Henry

waiting by the door
ready to go
you never came

Kimberly Dial (6)

This reminds me on waiting on my mother to come pick me up. I be at home and she calls me to come outside but you go outside and she’s about 5 minutes away. You can be picking your friend up at they house and you tell them to come outside but taking a long time to come out. Elijah

I like this haiku because of the emotion I get when I read it. It often reminds me of the one I wrote about waiting for my own father at the door and him never showing up. I think I like this poem so much because like mine it brings me back to the memory and the feeling of disappointment. I like the simplicity and how straight to the point it is yet powerful at the same time. Marissa