Haiku Rengay Favorites

Mattoon PACE Global Rengay, Fall 2005


NEW DAY

sun sneaks through the blinds
wrapped in my comforter
beep, Beep, BEEP

coffee stain
on my new cream suit

instant soup
     turning cold
          on my desk

the clock radio
covered by paperwork
counts down to five

kicking off her heels
scraping the meatloaf pan

light flickers
     across the bed
          another rerun

Maria Clark & Marlene Gardner

I like this rengay because it represents an entire cycle of a day in the life of a businesswoman. The alarm clock rings and she is warm and comfortable underneath her comforter and does not want to get out of bed. Then she remembers that she has a new suit, and she wants to show it off. She gets out of bed, looking forward to that new clothes feel and how it boosts her confidence. She takes a shower, does her makeup, and puts on her suit. She goes out into the kitchen, makes herself a cup of coffee and spills some of it on the new suit. Now the pleasure from wearing the suit is gone. It is old already because it has a coffee stain on it. She no longer feels perfect.

She goes to work and does the same thing that she does day after day. She has a clock on her desk, and she lifts the papers piled on top of it every once in a while to see how long she has until 5:00. She just wants to go home.

She gets home, and it is the same routine there too. She comes in, changes her clothes and starts dinner. After dinner, everyone else is doing their own thing, and there she is in the kitchen by herself, cleaning the dishes. A little while later, she decides she will watch tv in bed, but there is a rerun on. She falls asleep, to start the cycle again another day.

This rengay is really kind of sad, because there doesn't seem to be any kind of spark in the woman. It seems as if she has the same humdrum routine day after day. But it is also very poignant. Even though she has the same routine, she still does it. She is very brave. Jenny


Family Pets

A warm golden cover
On cold winter nights
Lucky.

Dad is at war
And Duke’s on Prozac

Bright green eyes
In the dark night.
Horton.

Roscoe climbs on the roof
And Dad chases him.

Get the kitty, get the kitty!
Here comes
J.D.

My face is wet.
Jake woke me up.

Jenny & Trey Munro


Struggle

sitting in the restaurant
employees working hard
homework on the table

sipping a cola
waiting for the words to come

staring at the counter
for a thought to come
…nothing

old ladies playing cards
an evening out
the restaurant empties

all alone
with just thoughts & family

friends put heads together
the words finally here
Haiku done!

Mickey Hrvol & Donna Hyland

The above rengay reminds me of the many, many nights that my Physical Therapy classmates and I spent doing homework. Since we all lived in different towns, we would meet at restaurants in the Mattoon and Effingham areas. There were times that we would get so sidetracked watching the other restaurant patrons, we would forget what we were there for. We were even asked to leave, a few times, because the restaurant was closing.

We would spend countless hours working on a specific subject and still not come up with a educated response. Most generally we were more concerned with what our instructor would want us to think, than what we really thought ourselves. This was all fine and dandy for getting a good grade, but not so good for gaining the ability to problem solve for ourselves. Susan

 


snow outside too cold to play
side by side
snowflakes drying on the table

warmth from the oven
shared secrets

scotch tape and ribbons everywhere
presents are wrapped
midnight

soldiers are marching
sugar plum ferries
the mouse king appears

muddy footprints on the porch
the scent of pine fills the room

angels watching from above
a child is born
Christmas is here

MacKenzie & Megan Alwardt


Temporary Insanity

Red with Envy
...kindness taken for granted
A lover scorned

From the exteriority
… Facial expression hard to read

Entering the home
Behind the door….
I hide

Holding
In my hand
The baseball bat

A thought of imprisonment
Lessens the hatred in my psyche

Pausing
We talk
Instead of me hurting you

Charla & Audrey Bond


Happily Ever After

Patiently listening
to his explanation
                  again

Eyes wide Open
another sleepless night

Smiling
I tell him
everything is okay

a dozen red roses
each sharp thorn
dignity lost

an uncomfortable SILENCE
a quick embrace

Patiently listening
to her crying
                  again

Jorden & Maria Clark

In my opinion, this is a well-written rengay that most people can relate to. It focuses on the challenges in marriage. In this particular haiku the couple seems to be having more bad times than good. However, as I am told, this sometimes happens and can be repaired. The word "patiently" appears several times. This seems to indicate the couple's willingness to try and resolve their issues.

I particularly like the link that reads, "a dozen red roses each sharp thorn dignity lost". I think that is beautifully written. Usually when a man has made a mistake and wants to be forgiven he sends flowers. I think using roses was wise in this haiku. The rose is something that is common to all of us and has the ever-powerful image as being beautiful and dangerous simultaneously. In my opinion, when the woman accepts the roses, she forgives him again. Possibly, this is something that has happened too many times and she feels she is losing her self-respect for putting up with his actions. This is something many of us can relate to, I know I can.

There also seems to be some repetitive aspects to haiku. This indicates the problems have been occurring for a period of time. For example, "Patiently listening to his explanation again", "another sleepless night", "patiently listening to her crying again". I feel this couple is trying, but may need some additional help to get through their routine of issues. Jamie

I like this haiku because it seems very real-life to me. Anyone who has been involved in a relationship has most certainly had similar experiences. I like that it starts and ends with the same phrases, "patiently listening" and "again". Particularly, the word "again" seems to give the haiku on-going life, which is reflected in real life as well.

The link, "Smiling, I tell him everything is okay" is another favorite of mine. Although she indicates everything is okay, the link conveys to the reader that everything is definitely not okay. The fifth link, "an uncomfortable SILENCE   a quick embrace" seems to further underscore the message to the reader that the behaviors and actions on the outside may not necessarily reflect what's being felt on the inside.

The last link ties in nicely and gives the haiku its cyclical feeling. This time it is he who is patiently listening, thus completing the cycle. However, by using the word "again" at the very end, we can see that it is only over until the next time. Starr

 

 


PACE Experience

a midlife adventure
return to education
to open up the world

reading books
other than for pleasure

restless nights
are worth the reward
graduation

matured
in the workforce

a circus act
juggling daily activities
failing miserably at life

relationships mixed with
a wealth of knowledge

Mickey Hrvol, Missy Goad
and Susan Love

The rengay I chose was "PACE Experience". I'm sure this will be a popular choice for the December graduates in the class. Susan and Missy did a wonderful job detailing the events and emotions that the PACE program brought about in the last eighteen months.

The first verse talks about opening up the world. I think that everyone who is in the PACE program is there to help open new doors and opportunities. Everyone wants to advance their career. I also really liked the part about reading books but not for pleasure. I love to read and I cannot wait until I am able to sit down and read a book because that is what I choose to do, not because that is what I have to do.

Restless nights are worth the reward was also a good verse. Since we are so very close to graduation, this really makes this verse mean even more. There were many night (especially in finance) that I lay awake pondering different questions, equations, and answers. Not to mention the many late nights I was up reading and writing.

My favorite verse in the poem is the third one. It was challenging trying to complete homework, raise a child, work, and juggle all of the other daily activities. There were many times that I definitely felt that I was failing miserably at life. I had a tendency to become absent minded in times that I really needed to be focused. I thank God that it is almost over and free time is in the near future. I think the poem does a great job at speaking the thoughts and feelings that everyone has experienced in the last eighteen months. Brooke

I absolutely love this! It is just amazing how a cohort of students can be put through hell together for 18 months and never know that there are other right beside you that feel as "overwhelmed" as you. This Rengay should be posted on a PACE website for all PACE student to read. I like how it starts out positive (as all of us once did) and then in the middle, the attitude changes significantly. This indicates the pressure and overwhelmed feeling felt trying to deal with life in general and PACE. By the end, once you can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, even though you are burned out, you realize how much you have gained. The gains here are way more than just a degree. You have also gained strong friendships, an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and determination, and most of all self pride and gratification. Megan


Family’s Bond

Laughter in the kitchen
…Pleasant Aromas
Joyfully Mother and Daughter cook

Preparation of the chitterlings!
The Mother’s approach to clean them

Though happy times flourish
… Chopped onions
Make them cry.

Stuffing the turkey
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

The arrival of the family
… Awaiting dinner
Gathering in the home

Soft sentiments of life history repeating
To share with my loved ones

Charla & Audrey Bond


Life Lessons

words
her frozen expression
locked in memory

the sound of a slamming door
reverberating

sweet smell
a bouquet of fresh flowers
on the dining room table

a thawing heart
reflected in her face

cautious excitement
mundane tasks are
performed with extra care

enduring love
until next time

Starr Dawkins & Sarah Drewicy


Second Chance

echoes in the chapel
the choir sways side to side
Louisiana Sunday

laced hands
close the hymnal

small patent leather shoes
dangle
off the wooden pew

weathered face
disappears
beneath the water

facing his family
he clears his throat

stiff kleenex
dabs
away the tears

Amber Penhale & Marlene Gardner


Winter Dreams

November chill
dreaming of siestas
Mexico

two tickets
Cabo sounds nice

feet in the sand
Marguarita in hand
Paradise

Missy Goad & Amy Pourchot


The Truck Driver

thinning gray hair
with glasses on his nose
growing old

good ole farm boy
typical old poop

working hard
driving down the road
life goes by

daughters grow up
missing many milestones
wiping many tears

strong hands
hard and soft

all grown up
beautiful, beautiful legacy
wonderful, energetic grandchildren

Mickey Hrvol & Tina Henning

I can relate to this rengay because it reminds me of my own dad. Dad was 45 when I was born and had gray hair for al long as I can remember. He too grew up on a farm, but did not have farming as an occupation. When I was small, Dad drove a school bus, which ties into the driving theme. Later, he worked nights in a factory and slept during the days. With this work schedule, he too missed a lot of milestones. Dad had all girls…10 of them. As each of us grew up and married, he was blessed with many, many grandchildren. Although his health was poor, he really enjoyed watching his grandchildren at play and enjoyed spoiling them whenever possible. Unfortunately, he died before my children were born so my children never had the opportunity to know what a wonderful man my Dad was. Donna


Life

sifting through life’s accumulation
an abandoned doll
I’m six again

pony tail
high on my head

skinned knees
and a dirty band-aid
the tea party goes on

bears and dolls
around the table
playing dress-up

cheerleader with big pom poms
homecoming queen with crown

standing alone
at the cemetery
new headstone in place

Donna Hyland & Mickey Hrvol


The River

flows through the land
winding softly
looking back

mice scurry through
the rustling leaves

windmills turning
energy producing
cities bright again

wheels rolling overhead
through the night

angry, submerged land
creating havoc

rain, sunshine, stillness
rainbow in the East

Susan & Lois Love


Aggravation

Chewed up shoes
Lying on the floor
Puppy love

Aggravated and stressed
Will this day ever end?

Women in fuzzy slippers
Pushing to get the bargains
Christmas shopping

DRIVE people DRIVE!
The road is full of rage

Mounds and mounds
Its never over
Laundry.

Talk, talk, talk
Can’t get any peace and quiet

Children’s activities
All over town
Empty gas tank.

Jenny Munro & Brooke Weemer

My favorite rengay was Aggravation. I liked it because it was so typical of a busy mom. The title was perfect too. My favorite section was the fourth one. It seems that any time you are in a hurry; you get behind someone driving really slowly. I am usually like, "Get out of my way!" And the road rage is everywhere. Mickey

Coming home from work you walk in the door and the new puppy has chewed up a pair of shoes. The shoes that you instructed the children to pick up before heading off to school. Followed by another stressful day at work, which you think will never end. After work, you try to catch up on shopping and people are in a rage to get to the next bargain. Trying to get home the rage overcomes you because all you wanted to do is get home only to find mounds of never ending laundry. All you want is peace and quiet just for a little while. Driving the kids to their many activities, only to find that the car is out of gas just adding one more thing to the list of things to do.

This is overall a typical day for a working mother. The chores are never done. The kids have many activities and just when you think the day will end there is always one more thing to add to the list. I think we all feel overwhelmed sometimes with life and this rengay depicts a little piece of what life is about as a mother. Missy

This rengay really struck home with me. All the links are so true and seem to have been taken directly from my life. Having small children I relate to the link about mounds of laundry. You try to keep caught up with your chores but just when you think you have everything done life happens and you’re back to square one. Also my family just got a new puppy and since I stay home with my kids I am in charge of training and cleaning up after the puppy. It’s as bad as having another kid sometimes, but at the end of the day I still love my little Wrigley.
Although all these things are aggravating we still do them everyday. Why? Who knows, maybe we secretly love the rush of being aggravated? Or maybe we come to realize that without these brief moments of aggravation our lives would be too mundane to live for. Maria


HAIKU! HAIKU! HAIKU!

warm bed
soft covers
haiku

reading for pleasure
everything is a Haiku

cannot eat nor sleep
brain in overdrive
Haiku! Haiku! Haiku!

No one understands me
I only speak in Haiku

no one talking in sentences
conversations gone awry
haiku

I made a haiku
In my alphabet soup

Brooke Weemer


Then and Now

Wild flowers
broken stain glass windows
abandoned house

the old red flag on the mailbox
stands tall

one last look around
the moving van
idles impatiently in the drive

empty, dark windows
reflect a harvest moon

starting over
high hopes
broken dishes

the weeping willow sways
wind chimes

Megan Alwardt & Starr Dawkins


© 2005, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.