head on my pillow
        miles away
you sing me to sleep

Katie Steimann

My brother, and best friend, just asked his girlfriend to marry him.  They are getting married July 24th of 2004.  There wedding is going to be huge, with 10 attendants each and 500 guests.  The wedding planning has been somewhat hectic because of the fast approaching date (he popped the question only a month ago) and the fact that my brother lives on the other side of planet.  Craig lives in China, Darcy lives in Champaign, IL, USA.  This haiku made me think of them - both very musically inclined individuals.  In fact, when Craig asked Darcy to marry him, he played and sang her a song he had written for her.  (I suppose you should know that she made a 2 week Christmas visit to China.  When they were together, he proposed.)  I can imagine them talking on the phone late at night - so late that they hang up just before they fall into deep sleep.  Maybe Craig sings Darcy to sleep, maybe sometimes she sings to him.  Either way, their love is eternal and an example to me.  I cannot wait until Craig returns to the United States and we welcome a new member into our family. —Maureen C  

We decided instead of creating all new haiku, we would just link some of our already existing Valentine haiku to create a story.  The second one is a group original, but the others were written individually.  Enjoy!

red construction paper
folded
my heart in crayon 

grade school romance
blossomed
senior prom 

early morning
smoky restaurant booth
just coffee 

Valentine's dinner
dropping the fork
he kneels 

seated on our bed
flower petals fall
he leans in to my cheek 

50 years
his last name
still hers

Leigh Ann Kitchell
Abe Millikin
Alida Duff
Maureen Coady

night at the movies
nervous hands
you reach for hers

Tony Douglass

This Haiku grabs my attention because it reminds of the days past when it was such a big deal to decide when to "make the move" during a movie.  I can admire the person in this scenario because he has the confidence to simply act--at least he did not ask permission first or do the ever infamous "yawn into arm around" act. —Adam

This haiku was probably my favorite out of all the love haikus. This one is one that I think everyone can relate to because this is a very common event among relationships. Upon reading it, it automatically triggered memories of myself and those relationships that begun with this event. When I was in high school, it seemed that the best scenario for a first date is the movie theatre. On any first date, there is the sense of nervousness among both parties which is really hard to overcome at first. You both watch the movie side by side and try to figure out the best possible time to make your move without making her uncomfortable. It almost seems that the first move is always the holding of hands, which is sometimes the hardest thing to initiate. I really found this haiku effective, because there are so many people who have experienced moments just like this one. —Ben

softly shutting the door
home
just before sunrise

Katie Steimann (4) 

Oh, the memories! I'm picturing my high-school boyfriend sneaking in the front door, still dark, after the late, tired drive home from my house. As long as he got home before his parents got up, no one would know if he was home at midnight or 5:30am. This haiku clearly creates the image of a young man in love, happy he got to spend so much time with her, but now terrified he'll be caught. I like the word usage and the flow of this haiku. —Leigh

creamy nougat
spit into a napkin
49 more tries

Jennifer Toney (7)

With this haiku, I find myself enveloped in a very direct image painted in this haiku.  I get the image of a young girl eating the box of chocolates that her father brought her for Valentine's Day.  She's really excited that she received this gift.  Instantly, she delves into the red, heart shaped box- only to find herself perplexed at the multitude of shapes and sizes.  The decision is killing her, but the thought of the crimson milk chocolate enclosing a chunk of pink cherry filling is irresistible.  She hastily grabs one from the center, only to realize that chocolate was disguising a piece of coconut- her least favorite.  Quickly, she grabs the closest napkin and spits out the slobbery hunk of partially chewed chocolate and white goo.  Momentarily disgusted, she then smiles at the array of chocolates that lie before her.  Forty-nine more tries, one of them has to be cherry. —Alida

This haiku made me feel like a child again!  It made me think of Valentine's Day when grandma would give us boxes of assorted chocolates in the heart shaped boxes.  The boxes were so beautiful - they shined red and silver and always kept you intrigued in what was inside (even thought undoubtedly you would never find a chocolate that you liked the taste of.)  It was like a game that the candy company made up — a way to torture little kids:  creating boxes of candy that taste terrible.  Oh, frustration boils inside of me — I wanted just one of those chocolates to be good . . . but no.  —Maureen C

sleepless night
words of love
she'll never read

Tony Douglass (3)

I like this haiku because it calls upon many memories of mine. It is effective because it makes use of that advantage. Because I have memories that relate, when I read or hear the simple words of the first line of this haiku, I immediately have a somatic response on the kinesthetic level. I am physically changed by the words that I read. This is why haiku matters--a stunning example of overwhelming lucidity. —Nick

tucked in
innocent sleep
holding her first love

Jennifer Toney

I see a young girl with a stuffed animal. She has just gone to sleep and her parents had just tucked her in for the night.  She is young and still innocent in her sleep. I really enjoyed this poem because it is an innocent love. —Julia

handmade Valentines
wrinkled smile
never too old

Leigh Ann Kitchell

I really enjoyed this haiku because it put a great image in my head. When I think of Valentine's Day, I immediately picture a young couple celebrating in a romantic setting.  However, this Haiku made me think of the older people that still celebrate that day and the life that they have lived with their loved one.  Whether it be someone they have shared fifty years with or someone they just met.  Handmade valentines are so special to begin with, that the fact that it is shared with some one older, this gave me a new perspective.  Even after many years, the handmade valentine seemed to put a smile on his or her face.  They seemed to make a look that was like they had never received a valentine before. —Brianne

The first image I got from this haiku was an old lady sitting in her house.  A house that she's had forever.  I get the feeling that she lives alone in the house.  Her husband has passed away.  She's sitting in her recliner, with a little lapdesk, doing her crossword puzzles.  Her grandchildren come in as they always do on Saturday's, and this Saturday is Valentines Day.  They've made her fun, gooey with glue, homemade valentines.  And she smiles.  I also got a cute image of an old woman with funky glasses and pink converse shoes (ok, so she's me when I'm 80), making a valentine for her husband. —Juliana 

closed eyes
touching his lips
I pinch myself

Alida Duff

When I read this haiku, I picture myself the after I met my fiancé.  We met in high school and liked each other then but it never worked out.  Our first kiss was the best night ever, I never thought in dreamy world that I would ever get to kiss the man that I dreamed about for so long.  When I finally did I really had to pinch myself to make sure it I was not dreaming. —Alison

I see a girl and a guy having their first kiss. They are both very nervous but excited at the same time. I feel the girl is thinking to herself that she can't believe this is happening. I think I see it from a girl's point of view because I am a girl. I think that everyone can't believe things that happen and feel they need to pinch themselves to make it feel real. —Julia

frosted car window
a single pink rose
she smiles

Jennifer McGeehon

So cute!  It's a cold icky day, and ta-da, someone was thinking about her! I got a lot of smells with this one, icy, cold, and rosy, and the image was just adorable! I also like how it's a pink rose . . . compliments the stereotypical pink cheeks from cold, and it's not too cliche. —Sarah

"Sleepless in Seattle"
love . . . only
in the movies

Leigh Ann Kitchell

I like this haiku because it symbolizes all of the people that base their relationships on romance that is in the movies.  Lots of people expect relationships to be absolutely perfect, just like in the movies, and when it doesn't go the way they plan it they figure something is wrong with the other person. —Cliff

I personally enjoy this Haiku because it puts an instant image in my head.  Sleepless in Seattle is a great movie, and even as I guy I enjoyed the element of true love in the movie.  Sometimes it feels as though true love only comes in the movies.  Sleepless in Seattle truly captured two people that inevitably fell in genuine love.  It looks so easy in the movies but in real life true love is hard to come by. —Ted

valentine's dinner
dropping the fork
he kneels

Alida Duff (8)

Valentines Day is known for engagements.  I imagine a couple that have been talking about marriage and are now sitting at a Valentine’s Day dinner. The guy, trying to be a gentleman, sees that his girlfriend’s fork fell on the floor and has kneeled to pick it up. The girl’s heart stops as she thinks he is proposing to her, when in fact, he is not. —Tony

This haiku reminds me of a scene from a romance movie. I can envision the fancy restraunt where the waiters all wear tuxedos, the dim light is accentuated by candles of the tables, and everyone is dressed up formally. She is not expecting a thing and is utterly surprised to find herself being proposed too. Although this is proposal is a tad cliché, it is romantic none the less. There are many different images that may come from this haiku. The dinner could be anywhere; there may not even be a proposal, who knows. It’s very open to interpretation, however the visual and intention seems clear. —Jennifer T

kisses linger
I close the door
and squeal

Leigh Ann Kitchell (5)

Almost every girl has had this experience, and I believe that is why this haiku is so appealing.  I see a sixteen year-old girl out on her first date with this amazing boy she's had a crush on since she was fourteen.  She's been talking about this crush for two years, and now here she is- on a date with him.  She can barely contain her excitement.  As the wonderful night of her dreams comes to a close, she dreads closing the door behind him- not seeing him until Monday at school.  It's torturous.  As they walk up to the porch, he reaches for her hand under the warming glow of the porch light.  With their eyes locked, he moves in for her first kiss.  They say their "good-nights," and she closes the door behind him as he walks back to his car.  She waits a second for him to make it out of ear range, then ecstatically begins squealing and jumping with excitement.  She can't wait to call up her friends, as soon as she runs upstairs to her bedroom. —Alida

I enjoy this haiku because it makes me think of when I was younger.  It brings about images of high school and how special you felt after that first kiss.  I see a young girl coming home from being out with her crush.  Maybe she went to see him play basketball or football and then they went out for pizza after the game.  He walks her to the door while his older brother waits in the car.  He leans in and gives her a soft kiss, maybe on her cheek, and then says goodnight.  She goes inside and runs to her room as her heart pounds in her chest.  She squeals with excitement. —Jennifer R

I don't know if I love the way this haiku is written but I love the memories it stirs up.  I have a very hard time keeping excitement in when something makes me giddy.  I think this haiku, although may appear too hopelessly romantic, is a feeling most people have felt, especially women.  I normally do not have a good memory in the academic sense for taking tests or remembering facts; however, I have been told that I have an impeccable memory for life situations and moments involving human connections.  I was eighteen when I received my first kiss, from my first and current boyfriend.  It was a moment that I countlessly replay in my head; a moment that I have written down in assurance to never forget any detail; a story I have retold innumerous times when people ask my about the beginning of our relationship.  Recently, Joe and I have talked intensely about how much effort and commitment goes into a long distance relationship, effort that we both feel is overwhelming in addition to all of our individual ambitions at the time.  We feel like our relationship has been put on hold for a while because of our geographical locations and individual passions.  It is memories like our first kiss, which I walked home after and shared with my RA at the time, squealing outside of Blackburn Hall, that I choose to relive in my mind to keep the connection to Joe alive in another way than just talking on the phone or writing letters.  According to some, holding on to memories like my first kiss could be me denying what is happening in the now and only thinking of the "perfect moments," but I'd like to think I am deepening our current relationship by maintaining these memories.  Overall, I appreciate this haiku because it allows many readers to relive lovey-dovey moments and feel confident that it is ok to dwell somewhat on the *perfect moments*” in a relationship. —Molly

classroom giggles
crimson face
matches the card

Alida Duff

From this haiku, I imagined a classroom full of elementary students, who have just received all of their valentines.  I imagined one little girl who opens a valentine from her crush.  When she looks over to the little boy, his face is redder than the valentine card he gave her.  I especially enjoyed this haiku because I am going to be an elementary teacher, and I could picture this happening in my first grade classroom! —Jennifer M  

Valentine's Day
red roses arrive . . .
for my neighbor

fingers laced
on the gazebo
we share a moondance

Molly Pufall (5)

This is my absolute favorite from the selected Love Haiku. I imagine a pristine white gazebo in the middle of a lush green park. The moon shines in through the spaces between the slats of the roof, illuminating the inside of the gazebo in striped light. The two lovers dance to the music they hear in their hearts — I imagine that the night is silent around them. I just get a feeling of perfect contentment from this haiku. I like it so much because it captures a moment that is ordinary and makes it sparkle with love and feelings. —Maureen R

This haiku really speaks to my emotions.  I think it has great sense of season as well as good usage of imagery words.  The haiku takes place on a gazebo and I can see the moon shinning down on the couple.   I can feel that this is taking place on a warm, summer evening and the two couple seem to be the only people in the entire universe at that very moment.  The word "laced" is very romantic, it almost takes the two people and creates one, and I can almost feel how special the bond is between the couple.  The word "moondance" is extremely romantic as well, I can see the couple dancing, however they really aren't moving that much because they are so close to another.  —Megan

not with me . . .
but he’ll kiss me
. . . some valentine’s day! 

seal the envelope
never to be opened
confession of love

Brianne Dilbeck (3)

I chose this haiku as one of my favorites because I can really relate to it personally. In Writing Seminar with Dr. Shepherd last year we wrote love letters around Valentine's Day. They were supposed to be to someone we had never said "I love you" to before. We had the option of actually sending them, and I chose not to.  Sometimes it helps you process what you're feeling just to write it down. I realized after I wrote my "love letter," that I wasn't really as interested in the person I was writing as I had thought. Not only do I have this personal link to this haiku, but I can see clearly the envelope sealed and then put in a drawer; never to be opened. It's a big decision whether to reveal your heart, and I think we can all relate to feeling scared of that. —Katie

red rose
for me
from me

Casey Turnipseed

Some single people are very bitter on Valentine's Day because they don't have anybody to share it with. I personally take Valentine's Day as a day to love and pamper myself, so I appreciated this haiku very much. I'd definitely buy myself flowers . . . if I had enough money. —Sarah

phone ringing
I lay
r e s t l e s s

Sylvia Hilton (5)

I really like not only the image of the phone ringing in this haiku, but how the poet used the spacing of the word "restless" to reveal the feeling.  The openness really makes you feel the unease that the person was feeling.  I often have late night conversations in bed, and I can just imagine lying down waiting for a call and the phone ringing off the hook for everyone but me. —Katie

This too is a favorite haiku because it calls upon memory.  Sometimes it seems a shame that the love of haiku is based on such private and personal experience, but that is the essence of the art.  Kukai provide us with the opportunity to share that experience and find out that our colleagues in class love the same pieces that we do. Sometimes. —Nick

This haiku really makes me laugh.  I see a teenage girl feeling in love for the first time, and anticipating the call from her so called "soul mate".  I have this overwhelming feeling of innocence as well.  When relationships are new everybody, even adults, anticipate talking to the person they are falling in love with.  However, this haiku brings me to young, puppy love.  When the author mentions a phone, and the word "restless" I vividly see a teenager.  Most teenagers spend all there time laying around talking on the phone, which is why I can picture a young high school girl, madly in love for the first time, counting the seconds until she can talk to him again. —Megan

Valentine's day
she says I love you
to her father's grave

Maureen Ritter (7)

winter gathering:
warmth
in your eyes 

sleepy lovers
call in sick
Valentine's Day

Ben Kress

I liked the image this one painted.  I can just imagine the couple, maybe engaged or newly-wed, laying in bed as the sunlight begins to peek through the window.  They'’re still sleepy from staying up all night talking and holding each other —and maybe something else . . . wink, wink.  But they're not cranky, just content being sleepy, deciding to call in sick&and make the moment last.  What a perfect way to start Valentine's day! —Leigh

into the snowy gusts--
your warmth
stays

Nick Curry (2)

I personally enjoy this haiku for its moderate amount of romanticism.  Unlike the first haiku I wrote about, this one is more subtle in highlighting a love moment.  I feel there is a cut between the first and second lines that is effective in emphasizing the warmth at hand. The warmth of someone so loving and generous, that it seems to linger after the person leaves.  "Snowy gusts" also creates a very prominent image for me.  Contrasting that to the focus on warmth is enough juxtaposition without being overdone.  I picture two people saying goodbye at the door after a wonderful night of discovering one another though hours of discussion and tea or cider. The man in leaving to go back to his own place. The relationship these two people share is fairly new and mostly consists of the two feeling each other out.  Everything is going great and almost seems to good to be true.  As the man is leaving the young woman, he heads out into a blustery wind twirling thick snow in every direction.  There is a definite bite in the air, but despite how chilly it is, the man isn't focusing on the cold or how to keep warm.  He is overflowing with warmth from the woman he just spent hours with and is so enthralled in getting to know this new person who he sees so much good in and the cold is nearly immune to him. While this haiku may present a more subtle dreamy element than others, I really appreciate the delicacy in which the romanticism is handled.  The more I read this haiku, the more I admire it. —Molly

Valentine's Day
. . . she wakes
to a rose's aroma

Ben Kress

This reminds me of the first Valentine's Day that my boyfriend and I spent together in our apartment. This haiku is actually a memory of mine. I woke up and there were roses all over the place.  (keep in mind that we have connections in the floral industry!) There were rose petals on the floor leading to the dining room table where he had breakfast waiting, alone with more roses on the table. There were even roses in the bathroom. The apartment was so fragrant and looked so beautiful with all of the roses. It was as if I was in a fairytale. I didn't believe that people really did that for people that they cared for. That was only supposed to happen in the movies.  So this haiku really brought back great memories for me. —Jennifer R

video games and pizza
not a rose in sight . . .
they are in love

Maureen Ritter (4)

It's Valentine's Day, and this couple is celebrating it the way they always have - by having fun. They don't need the typical lovey-dovey romantic gifts and gestures. All they need is to be able to spend time together having fun. It's a nice low-key night at home, with pizza delivered to the door so they don't have to cook and a couple of rented video games they've been wanting to try. They know they are in love because they are comfortable enough with each other to sit back, relax, and have some good teenage-style fun even though they are adults. —Jenny S

I really enjoy this first one, because in my mind it is the best way to spend a day like Valentines Day.  I was never really a candy hearts type of person, and personally, I find Valentines Day rather miserable.  I like this haiku because it paints a scene of two people who are close enough, and love each other enough that they no longer have to plan big huge days and special events to show it.  This haiku makes me think of a time when I had a girlfriend that I was completely comfortable with and just simply being together was enough for us. —Casey W

50 years
his last name
still hers

Abe Millikin (5)

Once again when I read this I picture my fiancé and I in 50 years still happily married with two or three children.  I picture us having a huge party for our 50th anniversary with all of our loved ones that have been their through out our marriage.  Shane and I will give out advise to all the love lovers and that will help them with their marriages. —Alison

I imagined my grandparents. When they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, I think it was one of the most proud and happiest moments of their life. The love that they shared was stronger and more alive at fifty years, than most people have in five years. My grandma and grandpa were very proud of their relationship, as they should be. After reading this haiku, I could see my grandma being so proud that after fifty years of marriage, they are still more in love than ever. —Jennifer M

innocent laughter
this year
a three year old
has my heart

Juliana Helt (4)

I choose this one because it reminds me of my sister. Because no matter what type of mood I'm in she can come up and make me laugh.And with this mno matter what happens I will always know that she will be my valentine. —Mike

old shoe box
dusty love letter
takes him back

full
body
smile

heartbroken—she sobs
I watch
glad to be single

Juliana Helt

As soon as I read this haiku, I thought of myself.  I seem to always want to be in a relationship, until I see my friends or someone else in general get sad over it. Then I think to myself, why do I want to be in a relationship. This haiku makes me think of the many times I comfort my best friends through their troubles, and convince myself that that is the reason I want to be single. I didn't really get a distinct image right away as I read this haiku, but it brought back a lot of times that I have spent being the shoulder to cry on. This haiku has a lot of emotion in it, both sad and happy. I think that is why I like it so much, the mixed emotions that I feel all of the time! —Brianne

a single dry rose
alone on my wall
. . . i miss him

Maureen Coady

This makes me think of a girl, because she had dried up roses or flowers from every guy she dated, except from me. I never gave her a real flower, because real flowers do this funny thing called dying, and I didn't want a dead dry flower to be something to remind her of us. So, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to use my talents in art to draw the most perfect rose I could, and I gave that too her. When I read this haiku I think about how she still has that drawing hanging above her bed, and how it is the last thing she will see every night, and how she has told me that it always makes her think about all the happy times we had. —Casey W

alone at the bar
valentines day
with Jimmy Beam 

Travis Meisenheimer (7)

I really enjoyed this Haiku. I reminded me of this weekend when I went to Chicago for Valentine's Day. A couple of friends and I all went out to the bars to make the day go by quicker. We went out expecting to see a lot of people who would be out doing the same thing as we, only to find that the bars are empty other than my friends and a few more people. After witnessing this depressing weekend night, we sit at the bar and drink trying to act like it is just another day. —Ben

I like this one because it the one thing everyone thinks of when they think of someone alone on Valentines Day.  It is a time when people feel very alone so they try to fill that with something.  I think that many people go to bars or just drink on Valentines Day because they feel sorry for themselves.  I see a person drunk wallowing in their misery at a bar with other lonely people.—Julia

 
chocolate hearts no one to share with

Jenny Schultz (3)

I like "chocolate hearts but no one to share with" a whole lot and not just because Jenny wrote it or that I helped edit it. I just like the way it flows and the short break between "heart" and "but." It is a very brief poem that captures the mood and image in just a few words. It is very hard to capture such a concrete mood and image in one line, and this is an example.  —Travis

sappy movies
alone on the couch
my valentines

passing the dumpster
a bruised heart-shaped box
unopened

Travis Meisenheimer (3)

A lone man is walking home on Valentine's Day and passes the dumpster of an apartment complex. Sitting just on top is a medium-sized heart shaped box of chocolates—its bright red color stands out against the heap of brown and gray and sludge in the dumpster. As he walks a little closer, he notices that the plastic shrink wrap is still on the box, undamaged, but the box itself is a bit bent and bruised from its fall to dumpster doom. Whoever this box was given to must have been so disgusted with the gift that he or she didn't even want it in a trash can inside the apartment. It went right out the window and into the dumpster, no time wasted. The walking man pauses, looks up toward the third floor of the building, and ponders for a moment what might have caused this box to be so unwelcome.  Then he continues on his way home. —Jenny S

summer night concert
our song
we dance under the stars

Mike Mays (3)

I love this haiku. I feel the coolness of the summer night air; I can see the stars and have the feeling of “this is the best night ever. it’s perfect.”  Perhaps it’s a rock concert in an amphitheatre, or a jazz night in the park, I don’t know, but the feeling is the same. I see two people smiling and singing along and being very happy to be together. the weather, the music and the company is perfect. —Jennifer T

asleep in my arms
numbness
worth the pain

Mike Mays (7)

I envision a couple watching a movie and the girl falls asleep in the guy’s arms. The bad thing is she fell asleep on his arm, and now it has gone numb.  He doesn’t want to move it because that will wake her up.  He decides not to move it because she looks so peaceful sleeping in your arms. —Tony

I like this haiku because this always happens to me whenever my girlfriend falls asleep on my arm or we are holding hands in a really weird position.  Even though it feels really weird and it usually gets to the point where I cant even feel my entire arm I will let it go and stay in the position so she doesn't have to wake up or shift when she is comfortable. I can remember one time when my arm fell completely asleep while we were in bed and when I was half asleep, I picked my arm up and let it drop . . . right onto her back.  I guess she woke up in a lot of pain but she didn't want to wake me up because I went right back to sleep.  She didn't let me live that one down for a couple of months. —Cliff

I can relate to this Haiku.  When someone you really care about is with you and you want to continue to hold them in the position you are in.  the only problem is that your arm is starting to go numb.  It doesn’t matter though because the feeling you have for that person, holding them is worth much more, and the pain subsides. —Ted

With this one, I didn't get a romantic vibe.  Instead, I got a new dad.  This is his first baby, and he's letting his wife sleep this time.  The baby is awake in the middle of the night, and won't stop crying.  Finally she falls asleep in his arms, and he doesn't want to put her back in bed.  He could hold her forever and he does, but his arms are feeling the light weight.  And it starts numb.  He could care less.  He just keeps looking at this beautiful baby that is his.  And it's worth the pain for him. —Juliana

I really like "asleep in my arms" because it describes such an awkward moment.  You are lying there with a girl and she is lying on your arm and it has fallen asleep just like she has. So, what do you do? You can't just take your arm back because if would wake her up but you can't just leave your arm there or you won't ever fall asleep. It's a Catch-22 but you just take it like a man and pretend it doesn't bother you because the moment is totally worth it. —Travis

the porch swing
so inviting
careless lovers 

big dusty box
old t-shirt
pain all over again 

half-time fight
I didn't want to hurt you
'cause it hurt me

. . . wasted
foot to floor
to stop the spinning

group haiku (3)
(Casey Wilen, Jennifer Rule,
Julia Shaver, Ben Kress)

I can see a man who decided to drink all of his love life away because he messed up and ruined his own valentines day. The only thing he can do to help himself is to put his foot on the floor to stop his room from spinning. —Mike 

red construction paper
folded
my heart in crayon

Alida Duff (4)

I can picture the 2nd or 3rd grade class exchanging Valentines.  Across the rows of desks sits the sender of a very special Valentine--anxiously awaiting the body language or some kind of appreciate signal from the intended recipient.  The truth and feeling of this memento is affixed in the contemporary and accepted writing medium known as crayon.  —Adam

grade school romance
blossomed
senior prom

group haiku:
 Leigh Ann Kitchell
Abe Millikin
Alida Duff
Maureen Coady

This haiku makes me think about high school romances, and those couples who somehow managed to stick it out together through all four years. I picture them dancing at their senior prom, reflecting on all of the moments they've shared together. They have moved from a love so sweet and innocent to adult commitment. I also get a bit of a sad feeling from this haiku. Senior prom, although a wonderful and time honored tradition, always seems to mark the beginning of the end of high school. I imagine that the couple is trying hard not to think about the coming fall, and their inevitable separation as they go off to college. For a couple who has been together for so many years, this is the first time they've had to part and it is a bitter pill to swallow.  Even so, they have history on their side and are convinced they will be able to make it through the hard times. —Maureen R

four feet . . .
dangling in the water 
as they dream

Megan Monigue (4)

empty box 
ring on her finger 
"I do"

quiet room 
he holds her face 
whispering three words 

old love 
new love 
no love