train’s gone
standing alone
at the empty station
Sam Thornburg |
this empty room
coffee brewing
the couch—my only friend
Ashley Galloway |
another night with demons
the last drip . . .
of a fifth of whiskey
Eli Hartsfield |
monday night
under the light
the taste of dirt
Ashley Galloway |
family dinner
adult talk
I bite my tongue
Jenny Tullis |
protecting the country
returning home
children have grown up
Ron Bond |
clothes on a bed
decisions to be made
nothing fits
Ron Bond |
the reflection
in the mirror
is absent
Jakob Henderson |
I really liked this haiku because it was relatable to me. When I am with family members, it is really hard for me to bite my tongue when a family member says something that it totally wrong or offensive to me. My dad, my older half-brother, me, and my little brother (even though he is not old enough to vote) are democrats. We believe love is love, black lives matter, save the environment, etc. But, a lot of family member’s on my mom’s side are the complete opposite; they are republicans. I have a hard time biting my tongue when it comes to politics. For instance, since my mom grew up in that republican environment, she makes comments that are offensive to me; I always call her out and explain why saying those remarks are wrong. I wish my mom learned to separate from that environment like my dad did. Growing up, my dad’s family was super racist / sexist etc, but he had to realise / learn for himself that those beliefs are absurd. So when I read this haiku, It reminds me of all the political conversations I have had with my dad, or all the times I have yelled at my mom for things she has said. If I am around other people (other family members / strangers), I try my very hardest to bite my tongue because I don’t want to start a huge argument, even if their remarks are against my belief. So this haiku also reminds me of all the times a family member has said something that made me angry, and I just had to sit there biting my tongue and taking deep breaths to prevent myself from yelling at them. Allie Bonk, January 2021 |
I liked this one because it made me a little sad. I cannot imagine having to be separated from my family for so long and not being able to see my children grow up without me. This haiku just makes me realize how much of a dangerous job serving your country can be, and that the job comes with many pros and cons. Neither of my parents served in the military, but I definitely know that both of them would have hated being away from their spouses and children for so long. It would break their hearts to not see their child growing up. It leaves a hole in your heart like something is missing. I liked how the writer of this haiku worded this poem. I can just picture a face of a soldier returning home and having a surprised / sad face when they see all of the accomplishments and milestones their child / spouse has reached, knowing they missed it. Allie Bonk, January 2021 |
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I love this. This is deep. I felt this haiku and appreciate its story. I feel like sometimes we don’t see ourselves for who we really are. I also feel like sometimes we wish others could see themselves the way we see them. I recently experienced someone saying some pretty hateful things to me and even though I knew they weren’t true and it was coming from a place of hurt and insecurity, I keep playing them in my head just trying to process. I think it is important that we don’t self-project hate on each other. Ashley Galloway, January 2021 |
mother and daughter painting
is their conversation
as good as ours?
Sarah Obert |
a tight hug
5 more minutes
please
Sam Thornburg |
fussing
it tangles . . . more
the knot undoes itself
Harrison Atkins |
tap . . . tap . . .
big bend of rod
as monster splashes
Eli Hartsfield |
I liked these haiku because they were both warn and wholesome. Although they are a lot alike, there is a different mood underlining the both of them. The second one feels more solem, like they are trying to get in as much affection until the person they are hugging is going to leave for a long time. However, the first, is a prouder undertone; a girl looking at a painting and reflecting on her relationship with her own mother. It makes me think of all the times I would stare at the large paintings in furniture stores when shopping with my mom. Caitlin Marshall, January 2021 |
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lying by the window
her old bones
warmed by the sun
Mira Burens |
far-fetched field
calmly . . .
awaits the caretaker
Parag Sachdeva |
sitting cross legged
by the grave
the flowers have wilted
Caitlin Marshall |
he kneels down
to the grave, and
places a squeaky toy down
Allie Bonk |
In a way, I feel like these Haiku could be about the exact same scene. I picture a rural setting, with abundant sunlight and farm field surrounding a ranch. I see an elderly woman, given through the lines “her old bones” and “awaits the caretaker”. Overall, these Haiku paint a very lovely, but somewhat lonely picture to me. While there is peace, there is still that quiet and calm solitude. Either way, the scene is lovely, warm, and peaceful. Sarah Obert, January 2021 |
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