Valentine's Day candy hearts
glued to paper—
a love note

jazz—
kisses that crescendo
after each brush

Jamila D. Smith (6)

The Brooks Haiku Award: This haiku takes me to a dimly lit room, perhaps a club or a comfortable couch in the living room. The jazz is wonderful . . . soft . . . melodic with the brushes lightly layering the percussion into the jam session. Jazz can go anywhere. It's so beautifully spontaneous, an impromtu. And so with the kisses. The light first kisses, just gently brushing the lips then building with intensity. The music, the kisses, the possibilities all coming together. Yes, this haiku jazzes me. —Dr. Randy Brooks

Reading this haiku, I envisioned a college-age couple sitting in the dark corner of a dimly lit, dingy jazz club.  Since no one can see them, the two lovers are kissing gently with their lips brushing back and forth over each others.  After that brushing, however, the couple then feels the urge to truly kiss each other more passionately and completely.  Additionally, I particularly enjoyed the word play in this poem.  The kisses rise and fall in intensity, just like the contour of the music.  With the use of "crescendo," the author more clearly depicts the scene and the passion of the moment. —Bri Hill

a crushing stare
into deep glass-like blue
I am drowning

Nekkeya Glover (4)

happy birthday grandpa
the bitter cold
rushes through the cemetery

Amy Soderberg (1)

homecoming dinner
at Burger King
alone

Stacey Orr (5)

I picked this poem because I thought it was both clever and funny. Not to mention the fact that I have been there before, but for me it was after my senior prom. It is a VERY long and not good story but we ended up at Taco Bell for our prom dinner. So the min I read this poem I was taken back to that dreadful night. Although, there is something about the tone of the piece that, for me, suggests that the author doesn't mind being there alone. I don't get any bitterness from this, but rather just another Wopper sandwich and fries. And we all know that there is NOTHING wrong with a Wopper sandwich and fries. —Christopher Bronke

scratchy jazz from the radio
he asks her to dance
to their old song

Alyson Ludek (2)

This haiku is where I want to be someday.  I picture a happily, long-married, old couple.  They are in their quaint house on any given day.  It’s not necessarily Valentine’s Day.  While sitting, their song comes on the radio.  He asks her to dance.  It is night there and they are in the livingroom.  In the room is a big bay window.  From the road you can see the two dancing, enjoying each other as they are. —Lauren Taylor

he whispers . . .
     I love you
rain
     on the windshield

Jennifer Griebel (2)

This haiku is one of my favorites from our Valentine Kukai.  I think that part of the reason it is so powerful is because of how the author uses space.  I like the back-and-forth motion that the lines create.  To me, it accentuates the rain on the windshield.  The unsteady starting point of each line is comparable to the unpredictable fall of raindrops.  The pitter-patter of the rain on the windshield is not only heard, but felt through the use of space and pauses within the haiku.  It helps set the mood and the moment.  The hesitation it creates as you read it seems to reflect the nervous uncertainty of the man in the haiku.  The space before the actual words, "I love you", show the reader that perhaps he hesitates before he says it aloud.  And then quickly after he says it, "rain".  Again, the reader can feel the silence after he says it.  No one speaks, only rain is heard.  I think that without the excellent use of space in this poem, it would lack atmosphere and feeling. —Michele LaBrose

I really like the form in this haiku. The three dots (elipses? sp?) are more punctuation than form but I like what they add to the haiku. It starts off and gets you almost ready to listen to a story and then there is a pause until the "I love you." I like the suspense created there. As for the form, I feel the overall form sort of symbolizes and brings the rain to life. The phrases are all scattered around just as raindrops would be on the windshield. Although I didn't look at this haiku like this originally, I think I now can see the effect the author was trying to go for here. I think it adds greatly to the character of the haiku. —Courtney Ruffner

syrupy kisses
another pancake
poured on the griddle

Bri Hill (8)

fireflies dance
brightens our rose garden
your breath on my neck

Xiu Ying Zheng (1)

eager spider
explores the terrain
of the fern

Karla Vincent (5)

the balance of life
filled with stubbornness
libra and taurus

Geralyn Buford (1)

feet in the water
hand in hand
. . . the endless sand

Chrissy Hulse (4)

This poem captures a universally romantic event and really does a great job reinforcing why we all see this as a deeply romantic act. It also has a very nice rhythm to it and it flows very well; sort of like the way we see romance. Idealistic and seamlessly beautiful. —Melissa Cutts

my cold ears are
detached from my body
frozen fruit

Jason Richardson (1)

silent night wind
thunderclap
Iraq

James Denestan (3)

he comes to me
each night
in my dreams

Courtney Ruffner (8)

girl with pigtails
looks at quarter in gutter
butter fingers

Melissa Cutts (2)

the spot light
blinding
all eyes on me

Chrissy Hulse (2)

for Valentine's Day
I give him baby booties
he smiles

Jennifer Griebel (5)

the movie plays on
cat snoozes in my lap
alone again on V-day

Courtney Ruffner (1)

no longer trolleys
and cobblestone roads about
technology reigns

Martina Huntley

crying and naked
child running through the streets
casualty of war

Ronald McLendon (5)

This haiku presents a very powerful image, especially with the current pre-war situation. This also presents the harsh reality that innocent people, including children, are facing all over the world. It is definitely an eye opener as well as a sentiment that this image was captured in such a way. —Martina Huntley

red lips
close to his heart—
sun dying in the twilight

struggling to view space
illumination hinders
and forces me down

chain link swing
head back
feet to the sun

Nathan Carden (12)

As a child in grade school I was a big swinger. I loved to swing on the swing set at recess. In fact, as soon as the recess bell rang I was bolting out the door to get "my swing." There was one particular swing that I would always get. It was an inside swing, so I could be in between two people and I wouldn't feel left out on the end. I would always enjoy all the time I had out side and I would swing until the bell rang again to go inside. My girlfriends and I would do tricks and show each other and see who could jump the farthest or swing the highest. I remember swinging so high that my feet were up to the sky and in fact over my head. This haiku brought back a lot of memories from grade school, and some funny times at that. —Liz Hattan

pussy cat
the night stalker
brings home a gift

she enters the store
blue eyes follow
her chocolate frame

Jamila D. Smith (8)

I like the playfulness of this haiku.  There is something to suggest that her taste is that of sugar, and perhaps that the viewer would like to gobble her up.  I envision a subtle line of a woman's form and how a man's eyes could naturally be drawn to it.  It is almost like we see in the movies, when the woman enters the proverbial store and all eyes are drawn to her, and there is theme music as she walks nonchalantly through. —Erin Osmus

train to the city
his smiling face
the welcome

Lauren Taylor (1)

palms sweaty . . .
will you be
my valentine?

Nate Carden

I think the ellipses and question mark are very appropriate for this particular Haiku.  The ellipses after sweaty allow the reader to pause.  With this pause the reader is able to notice that the person who has the sweaty palms is very nervous and hesitant to ask the girl to be his Valentine.  The question mark allows the reader to see that the man is asking this girl a question.  I believe the question mark makes this Haiku to be in the present form—like the man is asking the woman to be his valentine right now. —Miranda Baker

rose petals float
in warm bath water
her gift to herself

Candace Golden (19)

your eyes follow
the amber wave
between my shoulder blades

Erin Osmus (6)

This one is my favorite because although the words are simple the haiku suggests a very intimate experience.  I can imagine a girl sitting in a tank top in the sun and a guy that loves her walking up behind her looking at her long hair running down her back.  I can feel the warmth that the girl must feel because she knows that he’s standing behind her staring lovingly at her and she has the same feelings about him. —Amy Soderberg

finger combing my hair
I lean back
into your body

Erin Osmus (17)

I absolutely LOVE this haiku because it presents a very visual image. I can remember getting my hair combed by my mother and how the feel of the comb and brush caused my body to lean into hers. This haiku also has sexual connotations because the "into your body" is on a separate line, resulting in a change of mood when read a couple of times. I love haiku that I can relate to, and this is definitely an example of one. —Jamila D. Smith

This haiku is beautiful. I can see a man gently playing with the hair of the woman he loves as they casually sit and watch TV. She smiles at his touch and with a sigh leans back against her man. But, this haiku makes that simple act mean so much more. Just by saying leans into your body and not against is what makes this haiku so intimate and romantic. Leaning into his body makes the couple seem so in love and close to each other that when together they simply become one person. —Jennifer Griebel

This haiku was great because it reminded me of an experience I had with a friend. It was comforting to know that someone else could pinpoint their similar experience to convey to others and have them relate perfectly, wow! —Samantha Archie

distant hearts
same evening moon
I feel him near

Miranda Baker (7)

I enjoyed this piece very much. I imagined a 'cross-continental' love relationship. The girl is possibly living in the United States, while her boyfriend is studying abroad in France. Every year in the past they would go out on Valentine's Day nights to view the moon together. This year, they are unable to do so because they are in two separate locations. However, in compensation, they spoke on the phone instead. I can see the girl with the receiver on her hand, standing near the window and watching the moon with her boyfriend through the phone. Even though her boyfriend is not really there with her to view the moon, she still felt that he is close by because she can hear his voice through the receiver. This haiku just seem to be really touchy and romantic! —Xiu Ying Zheng

I really like this particular haiku because it sets a perfect scene but uses very little description.  I see a woman at home in the comfort of her bedroom.  It's a special night, but she is there all by herself.  She walks to the window and looks outside to see the moon shining brightly overhead.  She realizes at that very moment that her other half could very well be looking up at the moon at that exact moment.  There is a connection and at that time she feels him near even though he might be quite far away in reality. —Courtney Ruffner

like my "to do" list
he is always on . . .
         my mind

Miranda Baker (7)

I like this one best.  The comparison of the to do list to how that person feels about him can take on two meanings. Something that she is always doing,  or something that she is try to finish or get done.   Either way it gives off this worrisome, rushed or flushed feeling.  Plus, it puts me into the moment, I cam relate to it. —Glover Nekkeya

This haiku uses simple words and a basic comparison to pervade a special person's presence in her mind.  I think the usage of space in the third line is very effective.  For me, it symbolized that it is not only on her mind.  By placing the "my mind" in the middle, it meant that "the person is always on the center of their mind." —Xiu Ying Zheng

drowned in your words
sweet nectar
caressing my lips

Tricia Scholl (2)

15 more pages
my nerves are getting bad
kids, shut the hell up!

Samantha Archie (1)

your head on my shoulder
as I slowly lean in
. . . you turn away

Bill Flowers (7)

I wrote about how I liked this haiku before, I think. I’m not sure if I mentioned it but I did this to someone. I was the one turning my head. As for the form, the subtly of the last like misplaced is great. That line, in and of itself, shows by image the head turning. I think it wouldn’t work as well if the periods were not in front of it. The periods show that the line was there was, it’s kind of like a trail. I really liked this image portrayed. Nice work Bill. —Lauren Taylor

Lila Lakehal (7)

butterflies
in my stomach
is this love? 

Liz Hattan (2)

I like this haiku particularly because I can picture someone thinking to themselves about someone special in their life.  They have never felt this way about anyone else in their life, and they are not sure how they should take it.  They seem to think this feeling is abnormal and begin to think they shouldn't be having feelings like this.  For some reason, they are nervous about an event that is coming up soon and they do not know how they should feel about it.  They may be alone or they could be with the person that is special to them in this situation.  They are having doubts as to whether or not they actually love this person. —Aaron Meyer

in a bar
a man plays the guitar
sadness comes

sun's rising
immaculate conception
glorious sight

Jason Richardson (1)

thought it was gone
it hasn’t left
I still miss him

Liz Hattan (3)

I like this poem because it is about that one person that you want so badly to forget about, but can't.  Sometimes moving on is hard and just when you think you have, you find yourself thinking of that person again-and missing them.  It captures such a frustrating feeling so well.  I can relate and it is a little satisfying to know that whoever wrote this has felt the same way and I am not alone.  —Michele LaBrose

This haiku is my favorite because I have been in that situation before. I believe that everyone who has ever loved someone and had their heart broken has been in this sitution before. Feeling and knowing that you are completely over a person, but then realizing that you are not. That can be one of the hardest feelings in the world to deal with. The bad thing is, you have to deal with those feelings alone. I can completely relate to the author of this poem. Maybe a response haiku should be written telling the author that things do get better. —Geralyn Buford

cold tile
a barefoot waltz
on the kitchen floor 

Bri Hill (10)

The last haiku was my favorite for a few reasons.  I like the fact that this person describes the feel of the tile on bare feet, because it is something that we can all identify with.  I also like the way this person says that they are waltzing, because a waltz is very slow and thoughtful.  This haiku also made me think of standing and hugging someone for so long, you almost begin to rock together, like you two are dancing. —Karla Vincent

I liked this one because it reminds me of a scene from an old movie, you can sense the passion between the two dancers and the way the feel for each other. You can almost tell that they have been together for a long time dancing barefoot on their old kitchen floor, as though they are forgetting their worries for the day and capturing each other in the moment. I picture a couple that does not get to see each other or spend as much quality time together since they had children and his busy work day, and this could be their anniversary, however it is during the week and they couldn't take time out to go to dinner, maybe they will this weekend, but they don't need a dinner to remind them of how they feel for each other. The children are all finally in bed, the lights are out, they are making sure the doors are locked and everything is turned off as he takes hold of her hand in the kitchen to dance with his wife. —Chrissy Hulse

That last one was my very favorite.  When I read it I can feel the chill of the tile beneath my feet and hear the soft scuffling of bare skin against the floor.  I picture a couple, perhaps newlyweds, who don't really have the time or money to go out to an extravagant Valentine's day dinner.  Instead they make dinner together at home, just glad to be in each other's company, and share an impromptu dance as the pasta cooks on the stove.   That's my interpretation, anyway. —Alyson Ludek

arms wrapped tightly
around her body
endless rain falls outside

Christopher Bronke (2)

living forever
to die again and again
in her arms

Thomas Bausardo (5)

alone on the cliff
to hear
the cry of the sea!

sheets of rain
crowded under the umbrella
she holds me closer

Julie Forehand (2)

This one really gave me a good image.  I pictured a couple that just finished dinner.  It's night time and they're dressed up.  They had a bottle of wine so they're a little giddy.  As they walk out of the restaurant he opens the umbrella and she grabs a hold of his arm and squeezes closer to him to avoid the rain.  They laugh all the way to the car. —Bill Flowers

Mmm...warm cinnamon
vanilla and sugar floats
through the air...ding!

Leonor Cortes (3)

dragonflies mate
another cold beer
in the lawnchair

Ryan Jones (8)

silent night
the fight is over
she holds on tight

church bells ring
the crowd spills
onto the sidewalk

Alyson Ludek (1)

quiet summer grass
eating
marching ants

the roses scream
as the scorching sun
plays with their petals

Ronald McLendon (2)

Here the author captures an occurrence that is often overlooked unless you are a botanist or agriculturalist. I can understand the image that the author represents, and it will forever cause me to wonder about the reaction of the plants outside to the effects of nature. In addition to the practical reaction of the haiku, it suggests that overnourishment can be harmful. Since the sun is a major source of energy for the plant, the rose is "screaming" because it is has been exposed to more sunlight than it can handle. Such an idea of overwhelming exposure extends too many areas of human life. In particular love—since roses can be seen to represent that idea, it can be overwhelmed by an excess of things that are supposed to nourish it. For example, a compliment is great but after awhile too many compliments can lose their affect and begin to annoy a person rather than cultivate their feelings of affection. —Jason Richardson

barbecued ribs
baby's first
bottle rocket

mirror ball circles
on dark dance floor
wondering eyes

through the thicket
echoes of a gurgling brook—
a dead woman

lit candles
on the kitchen table
dinner for one

Candace Golden (5)

The Lanoue Haiku Award: I like this haiku for its sound, rhythm, timing, juxtaposition, delicacy of feeling—and the way it all comes together in that last word, "one." The quiet music of the haiku breaks into four parts to my ears: "lit candles/ on the kitchen table/ dinner/ for one." The "for one" is a nice, though sad revelation: despite romantic candles, someONE is alone; his or her lover is MIA. Romance/loneliness: a candlelit dinner in a fancy restaurant/a TV dinner at a kitchen table...a nice juxtaposition of clashing ideas. And there's something quite whimsical and sweet about lighting the romantic candles anyway; this, I think, saves the poem from sounding self-pitying. All in all, the poet says a lot in nine simple words, creating image, mood, and suggesting a whole story in a breath. —Dr. David Lanoue

For some reason, I really like this one.  While there is a sense of sadness for this lonely romantic, there is also a feeling of contentment and peace.  One is first led to believe that someone has prepared a nice romantic dinner that is meant for two people.  Sadly, someone was suppose to show up for dinner, but never did.  The mood is set with the lit candles.  Thus, allowing my imagination to envision a dark elegant room.  This person may have lost their loved one and has prepared a meal as tradition for when this meal usually took place.  The dinner alone can also be healing during this peaceful dinner with himself since he has lost this other person.  By having this dinner, he is able to become reconnected with himself. —Paul Schershel

first impression
at the restaurant . . .
forgot my wallet

Paul Scherschel (4)

This is my favorite haiku of the bunch. I picture a boy and girl in a restaurant on their first date. I think the boy really likes this girl, and he wants to make a good impression by taking her to a nice restaurant. You can sort of feel the "butterflies" and nerves through this haiku. He is trying so hard to make this night perfect, so that she might want to go out with him again, that he forgot one thing. He doesn't have his wallet. I think a lot of people can relate to this haiku. Maybe not to the extent that someone forgets his wallet, but I think everyone can remember how it feels to be out on a date with someone for the first time. —Stacey Orr

valentine card in hand
when she's not looking
he places it on her desk

Matt Whitsett (1)

falling asleep
her soft hair
settles on my hand

Christopher Bronke (11)

this haiku was very personal for me because many night me and my boyfriend will watch movies on the couch and he will play with my hair...i love it when someone plays with my hair...it puts me to sleep and that is what usually happens...i fall asleep while he plays with my hair... this haiku is very gentle and i sort of imagine the person who has the hair in their hand reflecting and tenderly watching the girl fall asleep...a very sweet haiku. —Tricia Scholl

I think I liked this one the most simply because I can relate to it the most. I am with my girlfriend all the time and she always falls asleep while we are watching movies. Her hair is always in my face or in my hands, which is exactly how I picture this haiku. I can see her hair settling right into my hands, like it does every time we watch a movie or take a nap. The word "settling" gives me a sense of peace, almost like that person is so happy with her and enjoys it when her soft hair is near. —Matt Whitset

I especially liked this haiku out of all the rest because of the great image I can get from this one.  The taste of the sweet sticky syrup as the lovers kiss, and get stuck together is very enjoyable and nice.  Also, the pancakes on the griddle could represent the years and times the couple has spent together, like adding another a year to their relationship, as the pancake to the griddle. —Julie Forehand

vibrant roses
struggle for the shadow
of Martha to move

Geralyn Buford (1)

Valentine's dinner
I let her
test the wine

Bill Flowers (1)

warmth of his hand
as he helps me
over a puddle

Alyson Ludek (6)

the doorbell's ring
long-stemmed roses
for someone else

Stacey Orr (8)

This particular haiku also brings up a lot of thoughts, both good and bad. My roommate seams to get flowers quite often from her boyfriend, and I always seem to be the one who answers the door. They are never for me, but for someone else. I do get a little jealous because I would love some flowers to enjoy like my roommate does, I am not bitter at all. I will someday have my time where I am the one receiving the flowers. —Liz Hattan

I like this haiku because it reminds me of my Christmas break job of delivering flowers and all the time it would happen, I would ring the doorbell and someone would answer the door but the flowers would be for someone else, but it was the disappointed look on their face. It made me feel so bad bringing something that’s supposed to make people feel better and here I am the one making people feel bad. —Nathan Carden

laughter
february fourteenth
girls night out

Amy Soderberg (5)

I liked this haiku because it said exactly what I did on Valentine's Day. I went over to my friend's apartment with five other girls. We each brought an appetizer and we watches two movies (Sweet Home Alabama and My Big Fat Greek Wedding). We had so much fun. We laughed the entire night together. It just goes to show that if you don't have a significant other, you can always count on your friend's to be there. —Miranda Baker

forever encircles
each nervous finger
with anticipation

Karla Vincent (1)

This one had a hidden meaning to me. I thought of a wedding ring which symbolizes unity forever and that is a huge step which can make someone nervous yet very anxious. I'm not anywhere close to getting married or even engaged but I sensed the emotion of someone in this position through this haiku. —Allison Jackson

dandelion's
lifetime of memories
poof! it's gone

Nekkeya Glover (2)

I like this one best because the flower evokes the feeling of
impermanence in life and nature. Since these haiku are connected to Valentine's Day, maybe the writer is comparing the impermanence of love to the dandelion petals. —James Denestan

I really like this haiku. I can picture picking up a white dandelion and blowing the dandelion blossoms away, and watching them float away into the air. The dandelion's by itself sets an image in your head. Everyone can picture dandelions. Lifetime of memories gives you a warm feeling. Then the poof! gives a sense of action and takes that feeling away. —Jared Stahl

a single red rose
amidst wildflowers
secret admirer 

Michele LaBrose (3)

step after step
the hallway dark
to quench my thirst

Aaron Meyer (1)