green below us
new beginnings
do I forgive?

summer night
the glow of fireflies
smeared across the driveway

Ann Anderson (5)

clear winter night
forever awed
by the depth of the sky

Ann Anderson (6)

I love this haiku because it inspires clear images to me.  I have spent countless hours staring into the cosmos shaken to the core by how expansive and consuming the darkness is.  The awe, like the sky, seems never to stop. —Nick C

Every time I look to the sky I am literally in awe of the infiniteness above me. I envision the clear winter night, walking back from the parking lot after a day of Christmas shopping. The day has been busy, rushing from place to place. I want nothing more than to be back in the warmth of my room. The frosted wind licks my face, but as I look to the sky I can't help but stare at the vastness above—it's amazing. My body is completely freezing, but I am so engaged by the heavens that it does not matter.  No matter how many times I look to the sky and no matter how cold my body is, I am forever awed. I cannot fathom the greatness of my Creator for designing such an intricate pattern of infinite space.  I am thankful. —Alida

violet petals
soft against her skin
feel like sin

Jenny Schultz (3)

I get a strong image of violet from this haiku.  Not only do I see a soft purple color but I also smell the soft scent of a violet.  I see a young girl picking out these violets from a vase her mother set out, cradling them in her hands, and bringing them up to her face.  The smell and touch of the petals tickles her skin.  It feels so good yet she knows she should not be playing around with her mothers' flower arrangement.  However, the girl is feeling a bit mischievous and enjoys the feeling of doing something somewhat "sinful". —Sylvia

the curve of her neck
exposed
February breeze

ambiance of crickets
her lips
linger on mine

Cliff Ault (5)

The word "ambiance" struck me as an excellent haiku word. I was immediately attracted to this haiku because of its initial start. I like the cut that I feel between the first and second lines.  The element of nature is so effective to me. I imagine an early august night, two people walking through a park right next to the lake.  I actually know of this one botanical garden right on Lake Decatur and envision the haiku taking place there. The garden is pretty deep, accommodating couples who want privacy. I see a man with his girlfriend in the garden and they are hugging. They just got done sharing a simple kiss and are now cheek to cheek, and he is stroking her long golden hair.  The young man is in utopia, hugging this girl who really likes. He is savoring the kiss they just shared as he is hugging her, and they hold this position for what seems like ten minutes at least.  While he is replaying this moment in his head, completely high from what just happened, the crickets are invading the moment. It is the only sound that can be heard in the garden. So the young man and woman are silent, in contrast to the crickets buzzing.  —Molly

strawberry kiss
on white paper towel
lonely daydream

wiping away my tears
I compose myself
for him

Maureen Ritter (7)

howling wind
pierces my ears—
an awkward silence

lost sock
in the dryer
new relationship

Jennifer Rule

I picture a Laundromat that desperately needs updating/renovation.  It's decorated and equipped from a time period circa 1972.  As a lady is starting to put her wash in one of the machines a frantic man approaches her while pleading her to unload the few items she has just tossed in so that he may rescue his sock.  Initially, I see the guy kind of laughing at himself and genuinely concerned that his sock may be turned pink in the wash, but after poking fun at himself, things start to spark and a new relationship is formed.  Maybe next week they schedule a time to do laundry together? —Adam

summer crush
hoping that she
has nothing to do with you

Maureen Coady (4)

April Fool’s night . . .
at the movies
by himself

waiting on the porch
excited for romance
shattered "April Fools"

soggy sheet of ice
cracks beneath my feet
sad to see it go

lilac blossoms—
taking the long way around
embraced

Mardi Gras
late night prayers
to the porcelain God

Katie Steimann

I really found this haiku was funny! When I read the first two lines, I was expecting something different for the end; the ending had a funny twist to the haiku. I also enjoyed this one because as a college student, most college students spend their Mardi Gras late nights being sick from the celebrations. I just enjoyed this haiku because I thought it was very humorous and true! —Jenny M

I really liked the humor of this Haiku.  What I saw from it was a man in New Orleans late at night getting ready to go to his hotel with a girl he just met.  They have been hanging out with all night and are both pretty intoxicated.  On the walk back to the hotel, they pass a church with several statues along the sidewalk.  As they walk by, he stops, turns and prays to God that tonight will be his lucky night which makes her wonder what he is doing.  He then makes up some stupid story about the craftsmanship or something like that of the statue and eventually farces her to lose interest.  Prayer Denied.  —Ben

I really enjoyed this haiku because it did not really tell you a lot until you read the whole thing.  It is a situation that everyone thinks of when you think of Mardi Gras.  Everyone knows what this haiku means without rally having to say it. —Julia S

I know the God this haiku talks about very well. Actually, we've become pretty good friends. We're on a first name basis. His name is Fred. There is always that point in the night when you know that you are going to visit the porcelain God. It's the point where you are already drunk, and you take a big drink or a shot and all of a sudden, your stomach kind of gurgles and you get that feeling in your throat. The drink goes down right then, but a half hour later, you're in the bathroom or in the bushes or somewhere a little more conspicuous, wishing that you hadn't taken that last drink. You make promises like you're never going to drink again, knowing that it's not true. Ah, porcelain God. I think Fred is very sad. No one takes him seriously. Everyone makes promises to him, but they never follow through with them. —Colby

should I say it
wind changing direction
here goes

Molly Pufall (3)

I enjoy this haiku because it can go anywhere, you could be getting ready to propose or you could be ending a relationship. Your imagination can take you anywhere with this haiku. It takes me to a couple that is walking through the woods talking about their relationship. The girl just wants out of it but does not have the guts to tell the guy who is so deeply in love with her. So when the wind or the conversation changes the direction she just gets fed up and tells him that it is over. —Alison

last night's
ashes
on my pillow

Katie Steimann

I love this haiku because it is an excellent example of extreme brevity.  It is not so small as to be unclear, but it is anything but too large.  The economy of words is very precise, and it still represents a complete and well-organized thought.  It is often the case that very brief haiku are bereft of formal elements--this one has a clear split and uses well a "covert" or implied reference to season. —Nick C

inhaling smoke
bass in my chest
heartbeat through the floor

cheap plastic beads
adorned by thousands
the bigger the better

thick, white icing
round king cake
find the plastic baby

sleet on stained glass
yelling parents and nuns
red left ear

Casey Wilen (2)

stations of the cross
old wooden pews
and the smell of old people 

splash . . .
a friend's face
drips holy water

sharp pain
flying beads
thrown from above

fixing soup
for my catholic boyfriend
I scoop out the chicken

Jenny Schultz

For this haiku, I imagined a new couple. I imagined the girlfriend was trying to fix this dinner for her boyfriend. When the boyfriend arrives, he feels bad telling her that he is Catholic and that he can't eat meat today. I then see the girlfriend willingly scooping out the chicken to make everything just right. I thought that this haiku was pretty funny too! —Jenny M

I relate to this one really well because my girlfriend is Catholic, so I try to pick a place to eat where she can get something without meat.  I also always don't eat meat just like her even though I am not Catholic.  I definitely have forgotten about it before when I made vegetable beef soup, so I had to go through it and pick out the meat.  It was not fun. —Tony

I love the image of scooping chicken out of soup.  It sounds like something I had done when I was a vegetarian.  It's very tedious and unless you're very hungry, it really isn't even worth the trouble.  I would rather not eat it at all. But this girl is so supportive of her boyfriend.  I imagine that she made this chicken noodle soup for him because he's got a cold but she completely forgot that it's Ash Wednesday.  So now she is going through the trouble of taking all the chicken out.  I see a lot of commitment and sacrifice between this couple.  I can tell that they are very devoted to each other and their beliefs. —Sylvia

ashless forehead
she reaffirms her faith
in the cold stairwell 

Jenny Schultz (5)

I clearly picture a woman, between the ages of 17 and 25 for this haiku.  I picture an emotionally strong girl with a high intellect.  She has been recently exploring different spiritual approaches and has been getting flack for it from her old friends because they are condemning her of being a "strayer from the truth".  This girl has been going through feelings of assurance and doubt in what she is doing because her old friends do not approve of her liberating her mind.  The girl is still considerably spiritual, but it is hard for her friends to accept it because she is no longer a carbon copy of their expectations.  As it is Ash Wednesday, the people she used to be really comfortable with all wear ashes on their foreheads and walk past her, making the girl feel belittled for a split moment.  As soon as they pass, she continues her way home.  When she arrives at her apartment or dorm, she stands in the hallway before walking to her floor.  She talks to herself, giving herself the reassurance she needs in order to go on.  She tells herself that it is okay and that she still is worthy, even though she is not wearing the ashes like her old friends.  I guess I get a very religious and political statement from this haiku, but do not know if that was the intent.  I have somewhat experienced what I interpret this girl having experienced and can identify with it, going through doubt because you leave something that is comfortable and get viewed differently by people who used to be your "close friends".  It is really difficult, but I feel like a better and more enlightened person because of it.  I know I am spiritual and do not feel the need to prove it to them or anyone else.  —Molly

I'm not sure what to think of "ashless forehead."  I don't know if this is a woman who was raised Catholic and has lost her faith and is at a moment of reminding herself why she gave up her faith or if it is a person who never had faith to begin with.  Either way, I get the image of a confident (perhaps forced) woman with her decision regarding her faith. —Travis

ashes on forehead
businessmen scurry
to check off another task

Juliana Helt (5)

I liked this one because of the unfortunate reality it portrays. I think that so often peoples' faith become merely "religion" and loses all meaning to them. From this haiku, I see a group of men all in the same office all rushing out on their lunch breaks to get their Wednesday ashes before they have to be back at work. And all they really care about is getting it done. They don't take time to really think about why they do this or what it really means. To them, it's a cold act and another thing to check off. Good haiku. —Leigh

cookies in the freezer
wait to be eaten
until Easter

Juliana Helt (2)

I like the cookies in the freezer, because it reminds me of last year and lent. I gave up meat, which is really hard comming just from wrestling. However, I did make it through all the way. Then on Easter Sunday I sat and ate to of the biggest steaks I had ever seen. If you even crossed my plate you'd better have watched out. —Mike Mays

mardi gras beads
shoved into the sock drawer
while mother visits

year of sins
I sit
ask for my forgiveness

balcony view
i show them
a shocking side of me

Mike Mays (3)

To me Mardi Gras is all about release.  Whether you are religious or not, the night symbolizes a letting go of the year's stresses, and a celebration of life.  People do things that they might never do again in their lives, or they have never done before.  Life is about experience, and flashing someone like I see in this haiku, is something that most people will never do in their lives, but for one night it is accepted by society somehow.  Whether you see yourself on the balcony as the flasher, or as viewing it from a far, it is easy to relate to this haiku and picture the events taking place. —Katie S

I like this Haiku because you can tell the author is talking about Mardi Gras from the cliché scenario described on the balcony.  The notoriety of this Haiku is further realized when the seasonal element is related to the audience without using any descriptions/references to weather--you can tell it's February.  I think the word "shocking" really makes the Haiku. Any other word might leave the reader in question as to what was happening.   —Adam

broken and scarred
he lifts my chin
a new heart

Leigh Ann Kitchell

I believe this haiku is referring to the Bible passage that says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  (Ezekiel 36:26.)  —Maureen C.

weary traveler
He blows a kiss
from heaven

in fear I turn
His arm
long enough to reach

Leigh Ann Kitchell

This haiku made me think of me struggling, running, hiding from God. God is everywhere; his presence is all around us. But sometimes life situations hold us back from being able to see, feel, touch the presence of the Living God. Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."  Sometimes, I am too blind to see His goodness, if only I could sense His outstretched hand to me; if only I could have the faith to believe that all I have to do is trust that He is there - alive and with me; if only I could trust like a child—then maybe I wouldn't turn in fear, maybe I wouldn't run. The truth is that He is always extended His loving hand to us, how will I respond?—Maureen C.

wine soaked bread
ancient words
in my body

Leigh Ann Kitchell (7)

The act of communion is very sacred, and I feel that the author really achieves the sense of piety that they were going for.  Wine soaked bread is such a great image because not only can you see it, you can feel it and taste it in your mouth.  Feeling as if your body has been possessed by something older and bigger than you is a common religious experience.  Ash Wednesday is about feeling like one of a whole community of worshipers, rededicating themselves to God and religious awareness for the coming year.  I can feel that sense of awe and wonder; fulfillment.  This haiku is one of my favorites because I feel in touch with it not only as a Christian, but as an experience of something larger than myself, an instant that cannot be recreated, but you remember forever. —Katie S.

spring Sunday
soprano voice
not quite there

morning stroll
peace between trees
away from the city

Molly Pufall (2)

night before Lent
quick trip to store
last piece of pie

Molly Pufall

This one just made me laugh, because this week the night before lent my roommate and I were watching TV, talking about everything we gave up.  Then all of a sudden we got the craving for DQ so we went and got a blizzard to treat are self before lent.  We felt so guilty but at the same time it was SOOO good.  We have been good ever since, we have a great support system between the two of us. —Alison

I can relate to this one also because of my girlfriend.  Every Lent, my girlfriend gives up pop.  So every year on the night before Lent, I run to the store and get her a 20-ounce of doctor pepper.  It seems like she enjoys it the most on that night.  I also give up pop of course so I don't rub it in by drinking pop.  Well, now I do it because of the religious aspect, even though I am not Catholic. —Tony

rainy night
soaking wet
no stopping us

Tony Douglass 

I love this haiku simply for the memory it allows me to relive while reading it. A night of being drenched in the rain for the lone enjoyment of holding someone and being held in return. The seconds pass by but the feeling that is inside my heart, that warm, protected feeling he gave me at that moment was everlasting. There was no stopping the way we felt for each other. —Casey T.

moonlit night
her identity
hidden behind a mask

Tony Douglass (8)

This haiku has an element of mystery. She is a mystery to someone who sees her. I picture a masquerade party on a summer night. Moonlight, stars, elegant dresses and tuxedos all set the scene of this party on a patio of a great hotel or mansion. Seeing her across the dance floor he is intrigued, yet he doesn’t know why. He can’t see her face, but there is something about her that he is drawn to. —Jennifer T.

This kukai reflects the true essence of Mardi Gras.  Everyone goes to New Orleans with the idea that they will never see any of the people again.  They can hide behind the mask they choose or be anyone they choose to be for the night.  Sometimes the alcohol plays a role in the type of person they portray.  I can picture a young woman in a beautifully decorated, feathered mask and she is leaning up against a building just watching people as they pass. No one stops to talk to her, they are too busy enjoying Mardi Gras. —Jennifer R.

lawn chair
cooler of beer
all you need

Tony Douglass (5)

I love this haiku and I’m taking one guess at who wrote but other than my beloved friend Travis. Every year there is a celebration in springtime of “Keg Races” and every year the entire campus gathers at one off-campus house to take part in the festivities. I remember the exact checklist for the occasion for my group and it was exactly this: lawn chairs, beer, coolers, and of course the keg! The basics are all we needed that day and with just these few items the day was more memorable than any other day of the year. —Casey T

I also choose the last one. I can see myslef in the summer time wil my friends and family, and all we need is some lawn chairs and a few coolers and we can be good all night and have a great time. —Mike Mays

I like this one purely for its simpleness.  Some haiku's seem to be abstract, but this one is short, sweet, and simple.  I realize that some need to be a little abstract, but sometimes the simplest moments can bring back to the greatest moments.  The lawn chair brings in many colors.  I imagine a summer day with a big blue sky, but perfect white puffy clouds.  I also see a red cooler.  I guess I assume that all coolers are generally red.  I also see the beer in the cooler.  A gold can with water droplets dripping down from the can, because of the ice in the cooler.  It just makes you excited for summer, BBQ's ,etc!  —Megan 

sun through the blinds
I turn to my left
goddamn beer goggles

man of silver and gold
statuesque
begging for money

Cliff Ault

rumbling growl
from a fasting stomach
as she passes 

mist of rain
moment of silence
Ash Wednesday mass 

empty pews 
waiting in silence
single flame flickers 

Jenny McGeehon (4)

I really like this haiku because it gives a great picture. It reminds me of when I would go to my church and it would be empty but it gave you such a good feeling. The single flame is a good element because you can see the colors and you can feel the silence. —Julia S.

grandma's ashed forehead
we chuckle . . .
catholic stuff 

Maureen Coady (6)

silent autumn chill
on a mountain
the death that gave life 

my very best friend
murdered
so we can be together 

Maureen Coady (3)

Wow. My initial reaction was to think about a typical best friend, but the last line creates the true meaning. It's about Jesus.  I think this haiku is so fabulous because it makes him so real. He is, or can be, our very best friend and He was brutally murdered so we could be together. I like the word murdered. It creates the image that it wasn't just a painless death, but it was tragic. I also like the use of the word can as opposed to could. It shows that we can have a relationship with him now. It tangible. It's real. And without his sacrifice, it couldn't be. This was a very moving haiku to me. —Leigh

the raucous fat tuesday:
after dinner
we do the dishes together

last feast before
lent
pancakes and sausage

Ash Wednesday
a big dark cross
sprinkling down my eyes

Megan Minogue (4)  

he drank
he ran-
naked

Casey Turnipseed 

This haiku was also one of my favorites.  I thought it was very humorous and also pretty likely that this has been done in the past.  Form it, I saw a college man who has just broken up with his girlfriend over the past couple of weeks.  He is very depressed and is then offered an opportunity to go to Mardi gras in New Orleans.  When he gets down there, his mind is still on his girlfriend, so he tries to drink it away.  Eventually he is so wasted and decides he wants to be like all the other people that have exposed themselves that night and over do it a little.  So he strips off all his clothes and starts running down the street with the crowd roaring all around him. —Ben

waking up
beads all over the floor
what happened?

church
blessing
I wear a mark 

bourbon
on Bourbon Street…
arrested!

strawberry margarita
warms the insides
fingers frozen

letting her hair down
feathered
masquerade

Sylvia Hilton (4)

In "letting her hair down" I imagine a woman letting her hair down after a night out and is finally able to take off her masquerade. The way we masquerade to hide our true selves is an interesting situation in which to ponder. I don't have anything to say on this that differs from an earlier response to a haiku of a similar topic. —Travis 

cinders fall
from temple
to cheek

 Sylvia Hilton

I also liked this haiku, because every time I get ashes, they fall everywhere on my face.  I can just relate to this because the ashes never stay where they originally begin.  I liked how the words were basic, yet gave a really good picture.  —Brianne

beads of gold
a drunk woman tumbles . . .
topless

Ben Kress (7)

I really liked this haiku because it gives a very great image.  When I think of Mardi Gras, I immediately think of women flashing to get beads.  This haiku gives me that image.  I also liked the way the words were written.  The pause right before topless, gives some suspense to the haiku.  This is just a really great haiku that im sure has a great story behind it! —Brianne

I like this haiku particularly for its form and word usage, in addition to the vivid imagery.  I really don't have any connections to Mardi Gras, or anything associated with it, but this haiku captures what I would assume the celebration is like.  I picture an empty street, flooded with empty keg glasses and streamers from the night's festivities.  Plastic beads adorn the bases of street lamps, while the smell of alcohol fused with vomit lingers in the air.  A solitary woman stumbles down the sunlit sidewalk, her neck encircled with the shiny gold beads of the night before.  Her makeup streaming down her face, she searches for life amongst the emptiness.  Cigarette in her left hand, plastic beer glass in the right, she stumbles on, searching for someone- anyone.  Her spiked heal breaks as her weight shifts unpleasantly in her shoe, and she tumbles to the ground.  Attempting to recover, she stands up quickly- shamed more by the fall than the bareness of her chest.  She stumbles on, hoping for the affection that eluded her the night before. —Alida

Ash Wednesday
trash on the streets
of New Orleans

Ann Anderson

I don't know why but this kukai upset me.  It is obvious to me that whoever wrote this kukai has never been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras.  If they were, they slept through Ash Wednesday.  On Fat Tuesday at midnight, the police clear the streets of partiers.  Anyone that lingers in the streets is arrested.  Street cleaners are out at midnight cleaning the streets, preparing for Ash Wednesday's services.  The streets show no signs of the puking partiers from the past days.  New Orleans has a rich culture and is not just about Bourbon Street and naked people.  I feel that this person was not fully aware of this culture when they wrote this kukai. —Jennifer R.

deep wine-
coloured
clothe

dusty thumb down
and across each forehead
to dust you shall return

Randy Brooks (3)

40 days
40 nights
. . . restraining himself

Ben Kress (3)

I am actually participating in something like this right now. We have done it for the past three years. It's pretty fun. We have about 20 people who are involved this year. We have already had about 5 people drop out of the race. I hope to go the entire distance this year. It is hard, let me tell you. Lent is an interesting thing. I am not big into the religious aspect, which right now you are saying, what other aspect is there? I think the best part of lent is the test of will power, to see what you can do. Taking one of your vices and taking it away for over a month. It's a good thing to try to do. —Colby

I also like this one because of the pain I feel from it.  You have no idea what this person is giving up for lent, but you can tell its something really hard.  Also, you can automatically assume it's a catholic person, because they are giving up something in general.  Also, "restraining" is such a passionate word.  This person isn't just giving up something small, but they are giving up something that is causing them much grief.  People don't realize how hard it is to give up something that they have been doing for quite sometime, and this haiku helps you really understand. —Megan

Bourbon Street
his last drink
hits the ground

Ben Kress (5)

I love this one. It gives a clear image, yet provides room for interpretation. Does he drop the drink, or is he regurgitating it? Is the street so crowded that someone bumps into him thus he drops it? I really like the variation of ideas that this haiku can provide the reader. It’s just enough of description to get your mind going. I really like how open this one to interpretation this is, yet it leads you in the direction that, I assume, the author wants. —Jennifer T.