warm patchouli
I sink into the pillow
as frank sings

Amy Soderberg (4)

Although I do not think this was meant to be a child's haiku, it does capture a wonderful moment.  The sensation of being so completely comfortable is very well articulated.  There is a wonderful sense of smell from the word "patchouli."  I also like that frank is not specific to the poem.  I think by emphasizing the singer, the haiku's sensation would have been lessened. —Erin Osmus

gigantic yellow bus
I'd rather chase
the butterflies

Matt Whitsett

This one was really funny to me because I used to miss the bus at least once a month back in grade school.  I just pictured myself on a cold day hearing the bus at my stop and then running down the street to try and head it off. —Bill Flowers

a glance over his shoulder
with sweaty palms
first kiss

Jennifer Griebel

I really liked this one. Specifically, it reminded me of my own first kiss, although this haiku is told from a female perspective, I think. Being intimate with someone is a nerve-wracking experience, and the first kiss was something I never was very good at. Kissing to me is also the most intimate action that someone can do, except maybe holding hands. Maybe that makes me old fashioned…or experience enough to know the difference. —Ryan Jones

hilltop
feet off the pedals
wind in my hair

Michele LaBrose

I especially liked this haiku because it paints a vivid picture for me.  I can see a child in the neighborhood out having fun after school with friends.  The child has no fear and loves to ride their bike all afternoon.  They especially like to go to the top of hills and ride as fast as they can down the other side of the hill.  They can feel the wind whisk by them as they travel at rates of speed they never could on flat land.  Also, the child knows that by taking its feet off the pedals, it will make the bike go faster down the hill.  I can remember doing this as a young child myself. —Aaron Meyer

faint giggles
from the girls' bedroom
lighten the living room mood

early June morning
water like ice
swimming lessons

meteor shower
at its peak
draws us together

Lauren Taylor

This one reminded me of the time that Adrienne Puyear and I went out into the countryside one really cold November morning to watch meteors. We decided to lay down in the middle of a country road to watch them, although we faced the wrong way for the majority of the time and didn't see as many as we might have had we been looking the right way instead. But it was fun laying on hard pavement and gravel in the cold because we were really close both physically and spiritually in those moments, listening to the silence on the prairie and enjoying the reality of just being with each other. —Ryan Jones

not quite sunrise
two more hours
until Smurfs

Bill Flowers (6)

I like this haiku because I can really identify with it. I remember on endless occasions wanting time speed up so I could watch The Smurfs. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this in my age group especially this particular cartoon because it was so popular. I also get some imagery of the sun barely being above the horizon and audio of birds chirping.  —Keith Johansen

I absolutely LOVE this haiku, because it directly puts me into one of my childhood memories.  Sometimes when I was sick my parents would put this little black and white television in my room.  Thinking I was sneaky, I would wake up around five o’clock and turn it on to watch My Little Pony.  I can easily picture a little kid sneaking downstairs to watch television because they can’t sleep anymore and waiting patiently for the Smurfs. (Probably napping here and there somewhere before it comes on.) —Amy Soderberg

breezy backyard
bare feet
soft grass

Tricia Scholl (5)

Ahh… I feel like I am at home again. This hiku almost lets me feel the breezy air in my backyard on a cool summer day.  I also picture a huge yard almost like at a plantation in North Carolina. I see the rolling yard and the grass that looks so inviting to go run and play in. I can feel the softness of the grass on my feet. This brings back lots of other memories from childhood, playing in the grass in my bare feet all day long and getting grass stains on my knees. —Liz Hattan

fresh white linen
sewn with three hairs
one heart

summer evening baseball
caps bowed forward
stung in defeat

another school day  
children at play  
one boy is missing

tongue numbed
as the Popsicle melts
fingers stick together

Alyson Ludek

This Haiku truly reminds me of my childhood during the summers.  As a child I never did enjoyed ice cream. So I was always eating popsicles; even though my mom always tells me they are not good for me because of the food coloring.  Yet I enjoyed the feeling of my tongue being numbed and sometimes, if I eat a lot at once, the feeling of my brain being frozen.  Due to my mom's disapproval of having popsicles, I often secretly go to a near by grocery store to buy them with my lunch money.  However, my mom always knows in the end because I can never eat the popsicles neatly so I will always end up having sticky and "colorful" fingers.  —Xiu Ying Zheng

walleye on the line
the boy confronts mortality
for the first time

Ryan Jones (3)

water puddle
the great temptation
. . . splash!

Nate Carden (2)

This haiku puts me in a scene of my childhood when I was in first grade.  It was a rainy day.  However, when school was out, the rain was gone also.  The down pour left many water puddles in the uneven road in front of the school.  As I was heading towards home I saw several classmates playing in the water puddle—they looked like they were having lots of fun.  I was tempted to go in as well, but also afraid that my mom will probably scold me if I do so.  And there's not really a "clean" way to play in the water puddle.  As I was looking at them play, before I knew it, one of them jumped into another water puddle close by to where I was standing*SPLASH!  My pant legs were soaking wet!  Since my pants were already wet, I thought might as well enjoy the fun, so I joined my classmates.  Of course, I had to pay for my enjoyment; I was grounded two days by my mom. —Xiu Ying Zheng

the size of a large lemon
only 26 years old
only 6 months left

afternoon
walk into the quiet backyard
leash left behind

summer night breeze
beneath the willow
grandma's story

Xiu Ying Zheng

This poem reminded me of all the nights my parents and I sat on our front porch in the swing rocking back and forth in the night breezes. It also reminded me of all the stories that my parents used to tell me right before I would go to sleep at night. I really enjoyed those days, and part of me would really like to go back to them now. A willow tree would be especially nice to sit under in the summer breeze since it's leaves would droop and rustle in the wind. —Ryan Jones

chill night air
a warm child sleeps peacefully
on her father's lap

baby pool
pushed in
can’t swim

funeral
one last look
before she's gone

Jennifer Griebel (3)

This haiku reminds me of my grandmother's funeral. She was very young when she died and her death was pretty unexpected. We were very close and she was the glue that held my family together. I remember being at her funeral and hoping they would leave the casket open a little longer. I wasn't ready to never see her again. This haiku captures that moment in my life when I knew I had to let go and hold on to the pictures I had of her in my head and in my heart. —Michele LaBrose

on my cement wall
daydreaming
of “Mr. Right”

zephyrs grow
kites soar
into summer sky

forbidden tree
under the june sun
we climb

only child
home alone
dog snuggles closer

Erin Osmus (2)

Since I am an only child this one really hit home for me. I sat home a lot as a child when my parents would go to dinner parties or just out for dinner or at a church function or something.  Not that my parents just left me but sometimes they did. I can remember laying on the couch and snuggling with my dog sam, watching t.v. or movies.  I guess that this hiku describes me best, and I like it the best. —Liz Hattan

the unknown word
is spoken aloud
county spelling bee

empty swings
rain fall on pavement
tiny noses press the glass

Tricia Scholl

This poem reminds me of being in school, like the third grade, and recess is cancelled because it is raining and everyone is upset and wishes they could be outside. Its dark and there’s a cool breeze with a dull humid smell. —Nate Carden

Christmas
my father lifts me a little higher
angel on top

Erin Osmus (3)

wind whistles and legs ache
world's fastest time
around the block

treehouse  
fifteen feet high  
heaviness . . . a step breaks

imaginary friend—
Mr. Bear and Miss Dolly
tea party

Goodbye China Sea
I will return
when I succeed

Xiu Ying Zheng (3)

sinking canoe
dad lost his balance
on wobbly  rock

unopened newspaper
grandpa's recliner
sits motionless

Paul Scherschel (6)

I picked this one as one of my favorites because it creates such a vivid picture.  I can see the recliner that my grandpa used to sit in and remember how he used to read the newspaper every morning.  Now, he's no longer with us, so this haiku creates a sense that the author's grandpa is no longer with him/her.  The words unopened and motionless create a sense not only that he's not there, but that he won't be there.  The paper won't be opened anytime soon and there will not be any movement in the recliner.  It just paints a good picture of what I think happened in this person's life. —Matt Whitsett

This haiku makes me think of my boyfriend who's grandpa died recently.  I have never experienced the death of a grandparent, but I will someday and this haiku makes me think of how I'll deal with it.  After my boyfriend's grandpa died I spent a lot of time over there with my boyfriend and his family.  I can remember the awkward silences and the empty recliner.  No one had the nerve to sit in it*we sat on the floor before we sat in grandpa's chair.  Out of habit someone brought the paper in and set it on his chair*no one had the nerve to open it or even move it.  Although this haiku fits my experience perfectly I think that anyone can relate to it because it captures that sickening stillness that follows after someone dies.  It makes the emptiness tangible. —Jennifer Griebel

Mom's yelling     
no where to be found    
TAG! You're it

green eyes fixed on passing strangers 

Mary Reed

Making this haiku a one-liner is effective because the traveling of the line across the page mirrors the movement of one’s eyes as they follow someone passing by. Since that is the content of the haiku, this is a very good match. The content of the haiku, however, is somewhat ambiguous—is this a child we are talking about, or a cat, or what? Although I like the way this haiku is set up, I would enjoy a little more detail as to what the haiku is referring to. I think it would make it more relevant and personal to the reader. —Alyson Ludek

This one, in my opinion, should have been broken into more than one line. The words of the haiku suggest that it should be read more slowly than what the structure allows. The eyes being “fixed” in the haiku do not suggest that things are moving fast. In fact, I visualize it being a very slow moment, almost as if this person is planning something. But the structure suggests it is a very fast and fluent moment. I believe it should be broken up. —Bill Flowers

1 a.m . . . enamel grinds
a stranger sits
outside my window

Mary Reed

I chose to respond to this haiku because I found this particular haiku very creepy compared to the others.  An instant “wonder” pushes my curiosity.  What happened? What is the stranger doing? Assuming from the first line, “enamel grinds”, the person on the other side of the window knows there is someone outside of their window.  So is this person hiding under the blankets? Is this a dream or the imagination? I enjoy haiku’s like this one because of the questions I ponder.  This haiku sparks the reader’s imagination and keeps the reader asking for more and wondering what next.  This haiku will definitely keep the curiosity in me stirred. — Tricia Scholl

past bedtime
I snuggle closer
to mother's heart

mulberry bush
a purple mouth
bestows sticky kisses

Brindin Hill

I particularly like this one because of the wonderful sensations.  I see the purple on a child's face, feel the stickiness of the fruit, and can taste the tartness of the berries.  The haiku is simple and uncluttered, and the selection of adjectives is wonderful.  I can also relate to this on a personal level.  Almost every child I know has at one time or another sampled wild fruit. —Erin Osmus

starless night
a quiet lullaby
mingles with the shadows

Brindin Hill (5)

I found this haiku to be particularly sad yet heartening.  The “starless night” refers to something not beautiful or gone bad.  Then there is the line “a quiet lullaby” which symbolizes, for me, a small string of hope and simplicity.  Like an innocent small child humming to herself as she plays with her dolls and ignores the misfortunes and adversity around her.  So as her innocent lullaby mingles with the shadows, for but a second those that listen absorb this glimmer of hope and purity of heart. —Tricia Scholl

empty house
uneaten lasagna
sits on the stove

warm morning wind
exploring the world
the new bycicle

ear plastered to the door
a mother screams
. . . the cry of a newborn

Miranda Baker

I like this image because it makes me think of the difficulty and joy it takes when having a child. I especially like the indention of the third line.  I like the image of a listener’s ear being “plastered” to the door.  This image reminds me of a nervous father pacing around the waiting room.  Then the mom screams followed by a few seconds of silence. Finally, the baby cries! —Candace Golden

elbow to elbow
buttery popcorn melting in my mouth
lights begin to dim

Miranda Baker

I like this haiku because it reminds me of all the times I spent at the movie theatre.  I would sit amongst family or friends with the tub of popcorn in my lap, and a Pepsi in my hand.  I really enjoy going to the movies, and I don't get the chance to go very often, so this haiku gave me a happy feeling.  Although this haiku uses the line break in a different way than the other two I chose, I think it is still effective.  It breaks in just the right time, when you are anticipating what is to come next.  I like how they did a break in the middle, instead of at the beginning.  —Stacey Orr

family vacation
car space divided
on a long drive

Jared Stahl (7)

This one really reminded me of my childhood and going on long vacations with my family.  My two older brothers would sit on either side of me in the back seat and torment me the entire time.  I just kept asking "Are we there yet?"  I just see a family in a small car driving on a summer day and they've been fighting all day.  Finally, they decide to sit in silence because they're so sick of each other.  All they want to do is get home. —Bill Flowers

This Haiku made me think of my sister. She is currently in Turkey teaching at an international grade school. Back when we were both young our family would drive to Maryland every year. We had a minivan and were allowed to bring a friend each. There was a rotation of seating throughout the trip. No one else would fight but my sister and I would fight if someone crossed “the line”. My parents always wanted to kill us. —Lauren Taylor

smell of pancakes
she stumbles downstairs
crusty eyed

prank calls
15 giggling girls
first sleepover

blueberry pancakes
another day
canoeing

skyscrapers
the ant pulls his meal
through the grass

Ryan Jones (9)

The most striking aspect of this haiku is its immediate contrast, which is brought to light by the author's use of the child's perspective. Upon my initial read of this poem, I imagined a small, young boy in the middle of a city park. The child wears dirty, torn play clothes and sits in the middle of a grassy field. Looking about him, he can clearly see rows of skyscrapers peering over the tops of the park's trees, but they do not hold his attention long. Although one who had never seen a skyscraper before would be impressed, this child has grown up in the city, surrounded by such buildings. What captivates him, instead, is a small ant that is crawling over the blades of grass, hauling its meal back to the colony. He intensely stares at this tiny piece of nature, while surrounded by huge unnatural structures, which although they are big, hold no magic for the child. I especially liked this poem because I grew up in a similar situation, surrounded by large buildings and only a tiny bit of nature. As a child, I would sit on the sidewalk and play with the ants, which seemed to fascinate me far more than anything I had ever seen in the city. —Bri Hill

an all class trip
loud students
with teachers annoyed

Aaron Meyer

First, with the school trip haiku. I never got to ride a bus to school, because I went to private school, so I always thought it was a treat to get to ride on a bus for field trips.  And most of us would go nuts when we got to ride on one, just because we never did on a regular basis.  Typically, most people have the impression that if you are a private school kid, you are expected to have manners and obey by the rules—or at least, stereotypically we were.  But the one thing our teachers would always dread, were the bus rides that we would so often enjoy.  It would never fail, either, to have bus drivers, on our field trips who could not tolerate any noise at all while they were driving. And I distinctly remember one man who would hold up two fingers when he thought we were being too loud for him to concentrate—then of course, we would get in trouble and those trips we so often looked forward to, became more of a setback than an adventure! —Julie Forehand

school day
walking with friends
time flies

birch bark
he paddles a canoe
in words

arthritic hands
the piano keys
still move

Ryan Jones (7)

Upon my intial read of this poem, I was extremely moved by the vivid picture that it created in my mind. I immediately envisioned an elderly woman, wrinkled and worn with age, sitting a similarly old, worn piano. In the middle of her comfortable living room, the woman places her aching hands on the keys. Although she feels a stiff pain in the joints of her fingers as she begins to play, the woman simply ignores the stiffness and eventually loses herself in the music that she is creating. This poem touched me so deeply, because although I do not play the piano, I am a singer. Being a musician, I understand the need and desire to continue to create and breathe life into music, regardless of what may come to be in my life. If I were to suffer some ailment in my throat that would no longer allow me to sing, I would remain determined to sing beautiful melodies regardless of pain and suffering. The music helps me to forget that suffering, and the same goes for this elderly woman. Despite her suffering, the music that she creates helps to heal her, even if the relief is only temporary. —Bri Hill

I really enjoyed this haiku. I picture my grandma when she still tries to play the piano. She wants to play and enjoy the music, but sometimes it is hard for her. Her fingers don't move as quickly as they used to, and sometimes she forgets what note to play. I enjoy watching her play because I hope that I will remember how to play forever. —Stacey Orr

tiny creek  
widened by rain  
mudmasked body

Courtney Ruffner

This haiku makes me think of a flood in this person's memory.  The small creek possibly near their house turned into a large creek, threatening the house.  The water has become much more muddy and does not resemble the usual clear water that runs through the creek before.  I can remember some flood times in my hometown.  It was always a scary time for people, as they could possibly lose some of their possessions.  I thought this haiku also painted a vivid picture in this situation. —Aaron Meyer

sounds of sleep
family road trip
the moon’s reflection

at her grave
a waft of memory
dove soap and static guard

Erin Osmus

I chose to write about this one because it brought me back to my cousin Gina's funeral in March. While I sat with my family at the service and grave all I could remember where the times together we spent and all of the wonderful memories I will forever have. In fact, half of the poems I found in the selection today reminded me of her and all of the goofy "girly" things we used to do. Gina was and will always be a large part of my childhood, whether or not she is here to reminisce with me today. —Chrissy Hulse

best friends
. . . new girl
soon to be traded

pitch black
corner of the woodshed
. . . they found me

Bill Flowers (3)

uphill battle
hardly moving
still I pedal

Matt Whitset

I like this poem because it reminds me of riding my bike around my block. There are two fairly steep hills that were great fun to ride down, but a real pain to ride up! I remember riding up and down it so many times that my leg muscles burned! I was pedaling as hard as I could yet hardly getting anywhere. But I kept it up until I reached the top because the glide back down it was worth it! —Michele LaBrose

three generations
in the warm kitchen
I get to stir

Michele LaBrose (11)

This haiku really reminds me of home and my family. During the holidays we all like to cook together. Although I don't really like to cook, I would jump right in when asked. I just wanted to be around my family members and wanted to be part of the conversation. This is especially important to me now since I usually only get to see my family around the holidays. It is my way to catch up with where they are all going in life. I picture myself with my aunts and cousins huddled in our little kitchen at home. —Stacey Orr

This one automatically makes me think of family such as my grandfather, dad, and myself.  I think of the thanksgivings when I was younger and trying to help out in the kitchen.  My papa (grandpa) would be making the turkey, while I would put the cloves in afterwards.  Since my family has close relations with our Italian heritage, many traditions are past down, which many our related to cooking.  —Paul Scherschel

In this haiku I can picture a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter standing in the kitchen making a large dinner with pies on a cooling rack.  I really relate to this haiku because every year now my mom, my grandma, and me stand around in the kitchen the day before thanksgiving and bake pies.  This haiku gives me a very warm and loving feeling. —Amy Soderberg

turning stomach
in the bathroom stall
first drag

magic kingdom
hand on my head
mickey mouse

large blue chair
father and daughter
silently side by side

Chrissy Hulse

I immediately think of my father and I when reading this haiku.  I am definitely daddy's little girl because I'm his only daughter and I just happen to be the youngest.  I remember just sitting on the arm of my dad's recliner all the time when I was very young.  He'd be watching sports on tv and I'd climb up next to him and just sit there, acting like I was interested too.  Although I don't remember all of the times that I used to do this because I was so young pictures are a very vivid reminder of my time with dad.  Every time I look at old photo albums, I'm reminded of those nights in daddy's recliner. —Courtney Ruffner

asleep
hazy dreams
of my unborn sister

a tear in grandpa’s eye
her face
flickers in mine

closed casket
teardrops on my hands
folded in prayer

gum stretched
between chair and jeans
my name on the board

high jump
barely suspended
over  
the bar

pastry children
gather powdered sugar
rolling down hill

calm lake waves
the divorce
not my fault

Matt Whitsett

This haiku is really powerful!  I like the contrast of the calm waves versus divorce.  It seems that the person is at his/her “special” place and is absent-mindedly looking at the smooth waves of the lake and thinking about this powerful separation.  I wonder if he/she thinks it isn’t his fault or he is trying to convince himself.  I like this one very much! —Candace Golden

early spring chills
our gowns rustle
as we march down the field

Cardinals on TV
sitting on daddy's lap
first sip of beer

Jennifer Griebel (4)

Ok. This may not be the best haiku in the world, but I like it. I can REALLY relate to this. I come from a family that watches the Cardinals religiously. I also remember watching a game and getting a sip of my Dad’s beer. I absolutely hated the taste, but I never let my Dad know because I wanted to be more grown up in his eyes. I can actually hear the announcer Jack Buck talking about the Cardinals and I can taste beer when I read this. —Keith Johansen

popcorn in hand
eyes fixed
the screen awakes

afternoon sun sets
the empty swing
discarded popcicle wrapper

Candace Golden

This one speaks to me mainly because at home, we have a swing in our front yard.  During the hot summer days I used to go outside around dusk, when it was finally getting cool, and read on the swing until the bugs forced me to go in.  Sometimes I'd have a Popsicle or some other treat with me, and would forget to bring the wrapper with me when I went inside.  This haiku perfectly captures those hot days and cooler nights out on the porch swing. —Alyson Ludek

red puffy eyes stare
children in the pool
his arm itches under his cast

training wheels off
wind in my hair
scraped knees

school's out
G.I. Joe wars
in the backyard

This poem reminds me of when I was in school and everyday we’d come home we would play something and usually it was G.I. Joes.  It brings out a sunny day in the grass, nice neighborhood, neighbors cutting the grass, and June bugs whistling. —Nate Carden

mint floss
wiggly tooth
pull

steamy day
in the attic
of our playhouse

cool air
across my skinned knee
. . . peddling faster

flat on our backs
one tiny light
brightens our night

Christopher Bronke (4)

I also chose this one as one of my favorites because I could relate so well to it.  I live in an area in which the stars are always out at night.  I love it when I get the opportunity to go outside with someone, especially someone who is close to me, and watch the stars out on our trampoline.  I love to just lay there and look at the stars, no matter what mood.  When the author talks about one tiny light brightening the night, I can relate to that because I especially enjoy watching the stars when I need to relax and get things off my mind.  It's funny how just one bright star or seeing the Big Dipper or Little Dipper can ease your mind and create a feeling almost as if everything is ok. —Matt Whitsett

two-touch
football, only
boys and me

Julie Forehand (4)

This haiku sends me right back to grade school.  I was a bit of a Tom Boy when I was young, and I was always playing the games the boys played.  I played football because I liked it, but as I got older it became funny to me that it was always just the boys and me.  I guess things haven't really changed, 95% of my friends are still boys and I still play football with them.  This poem just made me smile right away at the warm memories of my childhood when no one cared that it was just me and the boys.  There were no standards, we were just kids having fun and it's a fun memory. —Jennifer Griebel

a newborn's cry
blue
my baby brother

the red Christmas box
it moves!
my first puppy

truth or dare
first kiss
      . . . yuck

Kelly Carruth

I like this Haiku because it reminds me of my first boy and girl party in the seventh grade.  We didn’t play truth or dare but we did play “spin the bottle.”  Every time someone would spin the bottle, you were made to kiss a person even if you did not want to.  In this Haiku, I imagine a girl that was dared to kiss a boy.  However, she did not like this boy because she would have liked to kiss another boy.  Since it was a dare, the girl had to kiss the boy anyway.  Yuck! —Miranda Baker

When reading this haiku again, I thought that it was pretty cute. It brought back memories from middle school when I went to my first boy girl party. It was a girls house in the neighborhood and there were about 20 of us there. We started playing truth or dare but it basically turned into spin the bottle or “I dare you to kiss him, or her…” After it was my turn I remember having to have my first real kiss. I stood up and this guy basically stuck his tongue down my throat. I remember thinking “…yuck,” that was so gross and slimy. So the haiku worked real well for me and it was one I could easily relate to. The spacing in this haiku was good too. The fact that there was a pause and a (…) created a time between the kiss and the comment that was made after. I thought it worked really well that way. It gives the space of time. —Stacey Orr

I chose this poem because the breaks allow for two things. The first break is the indentation of the 3rd line. This break really allows for me, as the reader, to feel as if I am kissing someone. It is placed to allow me to think back to my first kiss. So that break is very effective. The second break is the ellipse right after the break. This is a very cleverly placed punctuation. This ellipse allows me to reflect upon the memory just created. The space allows me to relive the kiss and the ellipse allow me to reflect upon it, coming to the final conclusion of "yuck". Nicely done. —Christopher Bronke

full moon out the window
curled up in a ball
monsters under my bed

Kelly Carruth

When I read this haiku I was immediately brought back to when I was small and used to scare myself before bed by watching a scary movie or reading an unsettling book.  I would convince myself that there was a vampire or murderer or some other cretin lurking under my bed, and that if I let one toe dangle off it would grab me and wrestle me under with it.  So I would curl up into as small of a space as possible, hoping that I would make it through the night without getting eaten or something. —Alyson Ludek

messy lumps
in my ponytail
mom in the hospital

Xiu Ying Zheng (6)

I like this haiku because it reminds me of when I was younger.  When I would get ready for school, my mom would always help me get ready. I loved her to do my hair.  When I had longer hair, I would get up early because I would have her French braid my hair.  When I read this Haiku, I imagine a girl like myself who depended on her mother to do her hair in the morning.  However, her mom could not help her this particular morning because her mom was in the hospital.  The little girl tried doing her hair by herself but her hair didn’t look as good as when her mother does it. —Miranda Baker

I loved this one because it reminded me of my youngest sister, Carly's, birth when my father dropped us off at our neighbor's house while my mother was having her. Before he took us to the hospital he made us shower, brushed and did our hair and bought us Cabbage patch dolls so that we would have babies of our own. Whenever my father would fix our hair my mother would die in laughter because it was just that, lumpy! —Chrissy Hulse

a twinkling melody
the ballerina twirls
in her plastic mirror

Alyson Ludek (5)

rainy Sunday
deceivingly pious church shoes
happily caked in mud

Jessica May (1)

faded footprints
the moonlight
swims over the waves

Brindin Hill (7)

This haiku actually puts me on the ocean.  A cool breeze is actually blowing from the ocean.  I walk along the shore, with each wave coming up and to fill in my footprints.  As I look out over the ocean, the light bounces back and forth as a dance.  —Paul Scherschel

hand on fogged glass
figure getting smaller
as we pull away

Jessica May (5)

Normally when reading haiku I tend to choose the ones that I can really relate to as favorites; however, this haiku is not one that I can relate to.  As I read this haiku I just get a scene in my head with a little child whose family is moving.  They're pulling away in their old station wagon and the child has climbed over every seat to the very back window just to remain close to his/her old home for the longest they can.  At first I pictured the figure as a person they were leaving behind, or maybe even a pet that isn't allowed at their new house.  Then I realized the figure that's spoken of could in fact be their old house and they just can't bear to leave it and all the memories and friends from this town behind.  Although I've lived in the same place my entire life, I can somewhat relate or at least see the picture that is being painted here.  Very good imagery on the author's part. —Courtney Ruffner