Haiku Kukai 09 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Summer 2020
1 my mother's laugh Delaney Manning |
2 clay print Delaney Manning |
3 misinformed Sheila Jackman |
4 the little white cottage |
5 a standing ovation Sheila Jackman |
6 spider web dangles |
7 the stroke of a brush Samantha Wahl I really enjoyed this haiku as just the other day I was painting a terracotta pot yellow with flowers. It took me back to that moment of peace and relaxation as I sat alone able to clear my thoughts and focus on my art. It was fun to relive this feeling. Delaney Manning |
8 running through the field Samantha Wahl I love this Haiku. It is such a common moment always to be lived in a typical childhood. I can also relate this to my stepdaughter. The first line- running through the field- so much fun is happening in this line already. It gives me such a carefree feeling. I feel young. I am not even worried about tripping and falling on the bumpy grounds. When you get older, you start to make sure the ground is smooth and safe to walk on. I grew up next to a field. It was either a corn field. Or a bean field. I remember having so much fun. The second line - a scrape on my knee- this happened so many times while I was growing up. I remember my Mom cleaning up my wounds and putting a band-aid on it. I would do anything to relive these precious moments. The third line- not crying this time- this line takes me out of my thoughts, and I think of my stepdaughter. We waited so many years for her to toughen up. She was a milker. And a faker. I hope she doesn’t read this. I love you sugar plum. Robin Hodge |
9 all alone Holly Schmidt In this haiku I imagine myself sitting in my apartment lonely because I have no roommates right now. I have nothing to do and all my friends work during the day. I sit and wonder if I should get a dog or if I should get a cat. I now own a cat and he keeps me company. Liz Shipman I relate to this haiku so much being in college. Living in an apartment away from your family is very tough especially when you have grown up with dogs your whole life. When I was at school, I would have this conversation with my roommate after about getting a dog for the apartment. I imagine this individual is living on their own and is feeling very lonely because she has no company to talk to. This person is very indecisive because dogs are a lot of work to take care of and also cost money. Riley Sawin |
10 deceased grandma's Holly Schmidt |
11 necklace with our Holly Schmidt This haiku is cute and very thoughtful. Growing up my family is very close to my grandma and we would spend a lot of time with her since she baby sat us. I picture that this author is very close to their grandma and so are the other grand kids. For her birthday the grand kids all chipped in to buy their grandma a necklace with all their zodiac signs. This haiku is very meaningful and shows how close this family is with everyone. Riley Sawin |
12 growing up Samantha Wahl I really like this haiku and found it to be very clever. The first line creates a feeling of excitement. Someone or something has brought a crowd to its feet cheering and applauding. The second line makes me think the standing ovation doesn’t last long. Maybe it is at an awards ceremony and many names are being called or time feels like it is moving so fast that the applause flys by. The third line comes in with a surprising twist- the standing ovation is for the second runner-up. I instantly thought of a beauty pageant and a crowd erupting in applause for a girl who may have been the underdog in the competition. Even though she didn’t win the audience fell in love with her and feels she deserves special recognition and support. I love how the line breaks in this haiku totally took me for a loop and created several imagined responses in my head. Ally Banks |
13 long stem roses |
14 happy mother's day Kathryn Bouxsein This haiku reminds me of my grandmother. She had Alzheimer’s disease and during the final stages of her life, she was in a nursing home. When we would go and visit her, she just had a blank stare on her face. She did not even acknowledge our presence anymore. It was so sad to see her always smiling face turn into nothing more than a blank slate. Anna Ernst |
15 the day of his funeral |
16 with a double edge |
17 attack mode Sheila Jackman |
18 dirty faces Sheila Jackman Upon reading this piece, a smile creeped onto my face. Today, kids grow up watching a screen, tapping icons, and playing online games. Kids stay indoors, play video games, or scrolling on social media. They are too concerned with likes and views and how others portray them. I am so grateful that I was able to spend my childhood outdoors. I played in the dirt, got injured, and made mud “food.” Anything is better than what today’s kids are doing. Arianna Mergler |
19 peeling Robin Hodge I like the feel of this haiku. I can see a teen girl, smacking he gum and picking at the polish on her fingernails. Perhaps she is bored and sitting at home. Maybe she has to watch her younger siblings while her other runs an errand. It could be that her father is lecturing her about her poor attitude. No matter what is going on, the girl is disinterested. She doesn’t have the time or desire for what is going on at the moment. Inside her head, she is saying, “whatever,” even if she never mutters the words. Shelia Jackman This haiku makes me feel attacked! My mother would always yell at me when I got my nails done because I would always peel off the polish within 3 days. Back then, I thought it was because I was bored in school and didn’t have anything else to stimulate me. Knowing what I know now, it was most likely anxiety. Middle and high school were not fun times for me in terms of my social life. Arianna Mergler |
20 ode to the test Robin Hodge |
21 walking alone |
22 the storms Robin Hodge |
23 friendly neighbor Anna Ernst |
24 old man Anna Ernst |
25 climbing the tree Samantha Wahl |
26 mom in the same spot Samantha Wahl |
27 worn leather hands Ally Banks This is a lovely haiku. I picture a man who works a manual-labor job at the hospital to visit his first grandbaby. His hands are rough and worn from many years of working. His darling daughter has given birth to her firstborn child – a son. The new mom has never seen her dad get emotional, let alone cry. That all changes as he takes his grandson and namesake in his arms. Tears roll down the man’s face as he beams with joy, stroking that tiny head. He is in love! Shelia Jackman I like the visual I get from this haiku. I can imagine a rugged old man, who has worked hard his whole life. His hands are calloused and rough. He has deep wrinkles in his sun-tanned face and usually wears a scowl on his face. Most people refer to him as a grumpy old man. The one thing that brings a smile to his face and puts a twinkle in his eye is getting to hold his newborn grandbaby in his hands. The newborn’s skin so soft and delicate seems to glow next to the grandfather’s leather hands. It is a precious vision. Anna Ernst |
28 she looks in the mirror Samantha Wahl I like this haiku because of how real it is. I guess I never realized that looking in the foggy mirror was common after exiting the shower. I imagine a girl who went in the shower with a full face of makeup on. When she comes out, she is all clean and there is no evidence of any makeup or dirt. She throws a towel around her body, wipes a little area of the mirror, and stares at her bare complexion. Her insecurity rises as she wonders how the people outside the bathroom see her. Holly Schmidt I like this haiku because this is something I do often. I will get out of the shower and look into the mirror at my face. Normally I will sit there and point out all my little imperfections because it is only me around and that is the time, I feel like I am most self-conscious about everything. Liz Shipman |
29 undressing Ally Banks This haiku reminds me of undressing after homecoming or prom. Getting all dressed up, taking pictures, and dancing the night away is all fun and games until the dress starts to stick from sweat, the shoes create blisters, and your makeup starts to run. The best feeling in the world is when my mom would unzip me and the dress would fall to the ground, allowing my body to be free. I would step over the dress on the floor, take all the undergarments off, and just relax with a bare body. I like how the author states “the weight is lifted” almost as if the person was pretending to be someone she isn’t. Just like on homecoming or prom, it is expected for the ladies to look beautiful, almost replicating a princess. When the fancy clothes and fancy makeup come off, you become a fresh canvas ready for whatever image you want to create tomorrow. Holly Schmidt |
30 braids loosen Ally Banks |
31 water splashes |
32 back against earth Arianna Mergle |
33 perched on a rock . . . Arianna Mergle |
34 my ford pickup truck xxxxx I really want this to be my life. I want this to happen to me. It would be such a gorgeous day or night. I love the story to be told in this Haiku very much. I will appreciate all the stories. All of them should be delightful. The first line- my ford pickup truck- I know this isn’t mine. I have never owned a truck. I would like to know. What color is it? Is it blue? Is it brown? Is it new? Or is it showing some rust? Where is the truck parked? Is it in the middle of a pumpkin patch? Is it in the middle of a winery? I will gladly accept both options. The second line- blanket in the bed- I am about to get cozy. I don’t even care who I am with. I could be snuggling with my husband. Although, he isn’t all that romantic. Or, better yet, I could be chilling with my best friend since the first grade. I am so dang cozy. The third line- crisp glass of wine- I have my crisp glass of wine. And it keeps refilling itself. It is a magical, crisp glass of wine. Under the stars. Sooooo cozy. Robin Hodge |
35 cool, rainy day Logan Allsup Watching movies is an activity my husband and I enjoy doing together. Even in our early years, when money was extremely tight, we would head to Blockbuster and rent a few movies. The idea of a chilly, rainy day in which to watch movies is even more enticing. Then, on top of that, there is freshly popped popcorn? This all sounds like heaven on earth! Count me in! I’ll bring the Bourne movies! Shelia Jackman This haiku takes me to a rainy Sunday. I can smell the rain coming through the slightly-cracked windows. A cool breeze cools down the apartment. My boyfriend cuddles me under a blanket on the couch. Popcorn fills a bowl that sits on our lap. What movie will we choose? Holly Schmidt I like the start to the haiku; it is very peaceful and lets you imagine the type of day that is happening. With it being a bad day outside, I can relate to the activity that is happening as you continue reading. When it is a rainy day outside, I always remember it bringing my family together because there is nothing else to do outside and everyone is stuck inside. I envision a family having a movie night with popcorn because they are unable to leave the house due to the weather outside. Riley Sawin This Haiku also needs to happen to me. In a desperate way. Will someone set this all up for me? Please? The first line- cool, rainy day- these days can be depressing. Yet not today. Right now, it is exactly what I need. A calming day without a zillion things to do. This is my dream come true. I am wearing my Millikin hoodie. My stepdaughter is also wearing her Millikin hoodie. We are both still wearing out pajama shorts. No need to judge us. We aren’t doing a thing. The second line- popping the popcorn. Yes, it certainly is the Orville Redenbacher butter bowls. The best popcorn around. Those are so very delicious. The butter melted on my lips. So, yum. My stepdaughter has her ranch seasoning. I prefer to taste all the melted butter without being touched. Yes, our doggies even love and recognize a bag of popcorn right away. We have the cutest doggies in the World. The third line- for our favorite movie- What Happened to Monday. Robin Hodge I really like the images created in this haiku and I could instantly think of personal connections. Cool and rainy days are the best to snuggle under blankets and stay inside. I can smell the buttery popcorn on the stovetop, popping and sizzling away. I imagine a group of friends getting together and picking out a movie that everyone loves and that will make them all laugh. They make a blanket fort and cozy in together with bowls of popcorn to enjoy a day inside and away from the rain watching a classic movie. Ally Banks |
36 1 mile to go |
37 hometown Riley Sawin This haiku is interesting as many go back to their hometowns and meet with old neighbors and friends. Although, for this haiku the person heading back to their hometown goes and finds only strangers. They may be older with children of their own and miss their childhood and original family home. Delaney Manning |
38 upstairs attic Riley Sawin |
39 sitting alone Liz Shipman This haiku creates a sad emotion for me. I see a girl sitting alone on a park bench. She has just been through a horrible break up with her boyfriend. As she goes to the park to ease her mind she is thrown off by all the couples holding hands and laughing. It makes her more upset and she decides to leave. Delaney Manning |
40 mom's earrings Liz Shipman |
41 back from college Liz Shipman |
42 coming home Riley Sawin |
43 grandpa's flannel Liz Shipman |
44 beyond reach |
45 oriole feeder Randy Brooks I really like this haiku. My husband and I feed the squirrels in our yard corn. We love watching them sit up on the feeder to eat and defend their food. I can just imagine them trying to get into the bird feeder as it spins and throws them off, back into the yard. It amazes me how well they squirrels communicate with one another. This haiku makes me laugh to think of a group of squirrels holding a meeting to figure out the best way to take over the bird feeder. Anna Ernst |
46 Sonata No. 14 Sheila Jackman |
47 tattered jeans Sheila Jackman |
48 200-mile road trip Sheila Jackman |
49 cold tea |
50 mother wakes Delaney Manning This haiku is so sweet and instantly filled me with a fuzzy feeling. I remember when I was little I would sometimes have nightmares and quietly creep into my parent’s room. Before I could even say anything my mom would feel my presence, hovering beside her bed and wake up. She’d always scoot over and make room for me. She would hold me tight so I knew everything would be okay and we’d snuggle together until the next morning. Mother and child relationships are so special and I love the memories this haiku brings to mind. Ally Banks |
51 Autumn evening |
52 morning sunrise Holly Schmidt This haiku gives me such a warm, peaceful feeling. There would be many nights (still are) where I would have insomnia. I would stay up all night, falling into rabbit holes on the internet. I’d look at the clock and it would be about 6am. I got really happy, grabbed a glass of cold water, and sat outside on the porch to watch the sunrise. It was always so beautiful and reminded me that the human race is killing our planet, then I get really sad and go to bed. Arianna Mergler I love this haiku. Because it reminds me of all the hate and bad things going on in the world right now but there can be something good in the world even though it doesn’t seem like there can be. I think that people don’t pay attention to the little things in life that can be beautiful. Liz Shipman |
53 co-worker sneezes |
54 soldiers in a row Delaney Manning |
© 2020, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
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