Haiku Kukai 2 - Childhood Memory Haiku Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Spring 2007
red white and blue Sarah VanderZee My grandparents had the whole family over on the 4th of July almost every year growing up. We would cook out with hot dogs and hamburger and for desert; I distinctly always remember having angel food cake with strawberries. It was my favorite. Then when it was finally nighttime, we’d watch the fireworks and literally say, “ooo….aah…” Keith This entry is reminiscent of Independence days past. The colors reflect the patriotic tones of the holiday and I envision a social gathering. Children playing obliviously, mosquito's preying from their sweet bare flesh, adults and teenagers marveling at the vivid coloration's and Pops and Bangs of the fireworks. All groups in unison gyrate to the freshly cut strawberries sprinkled with sugar for taste. Jay |
family tent |
higher… Keith Chandler (2) It is amazing how children can turn a juggle-gym or park into something magical. It becomes their place of dreams and hopes. They conquer new land, become princes and princesses, or just run around like crazy. I think every kid has that moment on a swing when they believe if they could just get a little higher, then they could fly. There is that one moment when you get high enough that your bottom lifts out of the seat for a moment. In that moment, you really believe it will happen. Rachel |
red baseball cap Whitney Minor (7) I can really relate to this poem. It reminds me of a little girl who is a tomboy. I can see her trying to play baseball with all the boys. They continually tell her “no” but she is persistent. Finally one day they let her play and she is better than a lot of the boys. Lizabeth |
ticklish— Keith Chandler This haiku is adorable. I can imagine a mother struggling to clip her son’s toenails all day long. Finally, he falls asleep on her lap as they watch a movie. Using this moment of silence, she reaches for the clippers and starts cutting. He’s so worn out that he doesn’t even notice. It’s obvious that they have fun together and it’s not a battle of wills, but a game. I like how in just seven words, I can picture a whole day of events and feelings. Rachel |
morning light— Keith Chandler The first day of school is the subject of this haiku. Nobody likes the first day of school. When the morning light hits your eyes its always too soon. A deep breathe followed by a sigh cannot compare to the anxiety one experiences on the first day. Some people are more sensitive to this anxiety than others, but everyone has the ability to rise above it. A sigh is the first step to accepting the ‘cup’ your given. So I like this Haiku depicting the struggle of a young person. Philip D |
family tea |
the flowers |
sit in |
blood rushing to the face Sarah VanderZee This is a perfect description of almost everyone’s childhood. I could remember when my aunt use to pick us up after school, my two brothers and two cousins, and take us to the park or the McDonald’s play place. We use to play and have all sorts of childhood, silly competitions. I remember never wanting to leave the playground or the play place. My aunt use to get so mad at us because we hide in the tunnels and never come out. Joan This haiku places me right in the middle of recess at a grade school. The child is playing on the jungle gym or monkey bars trying to see how long she can hang there. The longer she hangs, the redder her face gets. She is giggling right along with her friends who are also hanging upside down right next to her. This is really a fun haiku because it makes me want to giggle right along with them. Cindie |
mother may I Chonita Ziegler Growing up, I lived on a street with no outlet. There were about four families on our street all with kids relatively close to my siblings and I. We were all the best of friends and loved to play in the street all day with one another. Even when it became dark we would try to stay out and play ghost in the graveyard or catch fireflies. Lizabeth |
studying for history |
family vacation— Brittney Gillespie (7) I like this one because i can just see this family going on this trip and the whole point was so they could tell them that they were getting a divorce. It is sort of how the movies do it. Grandville Although I have never experienced a family vacation like the one described in the above haiku, I still was very moved by it. I can imagine the typical nuclear family driving in their SUV to sunny Florida for spring break. The parents fake their happiness, holding in their discontent so their children will have no idea of the disruption soon to come. The parents had planned to tell their children at the end of the trip, but the soon realize that they cannot pretend to love eachother that much longer. A midweek dinner brings the news. Jenna |
buzzing |
thump…thump… |
first cry |
customer control— Brittney Gillespie (5) I loved this haiku because is describes how I feel about the many customers that come into my pharmacy and make my job unbearable. Though some of the customers are sick, there are still a majority that just wants to take advantage of your help since you are forced to help them based on the job description that was given to you. This haiku reminds of when 40 years old customers come in and through a temper tantrum over a $40 medication that they paid $38.25 for last time. Therefore, my ultimate weapon is a star contest where I will give them the dirtiest look and say a phrase in a cold tone so that they can understand how childish they are. Of course, they are just like “bad dogs” when they are scolded and they whine as they leave. Alya |
first snow Chonita Ziegler (3) I got a laugh out of this one. It reminds me of so many Calvin and Hobbes comic strips where they would ride a toboggan down a hill until colliding with a tree. I can only guess they have a lot of fun with that, considering they keep sledding down that tree-infested hill. Rider |
7:55 woke up late Jay Johnson I can remember back in the day when i used to take the bus and i would sleep over forgetting to set my alarm clock and rushing out the door without brushing me teeth or washing my face trying not to miss the bus. those were the good old days. Grandville |
hands brush John Wright This entry reminds me of that epidemic circa 1994. It was either the boys had it and the girls didn't want to contract the fictional disorder from them (us). Or boy's that were interested in girls that young contracted it according ti their male peers. lol and if my memory serves me justice claiming neutrality was involuntary admission of infection. Jay |
hollyhocks |
close your eyes |
fresh snow Joan Tirado (4) This reminds me of my 21st birthday that just recently passed and it was snowing outside and eventually became slick. My friends had to help me cross the parking lot and all of them were saying that if I fell not to take them with me. Andi |
cry of fear |
in the cabin loft |
toys strewn across the room |
summer's day |
worn, old, and torn . . . |
your sarcastic comments |
the house backyard Alya Saqer (3) This made me remember of playing in my backyard. We had a swing set and a pool. The main entertainment for my friends and I was the pool. We used to play salon in the pool as well as put on dance shows, and safaris. I felt that my backyard was really my kingdom. Lorin |
everyone together |
tiny tomboy Brittney Gillespie I loved this haiku because it reminded me very much of myself as a child. I was a bit tomboy when I was younger and I had very long hair and I would always wear it up in the high pony tail. I was so active in sports and playing around with my neighborhood friends that I would always get these horrible knots in my hair by the end of the day and have huge smudges and dirt all over. I was very tough as a kid because all my friends were and we loved playing fun neighborhood games like tag etc. This poem brought me back to that very nicely and reminded me how much fun I used to have as a kid. Amy |
a summer evening Cindie Zelhart This also takes me back to my childhood. We had an open field next to the house I grew up in. I remember running around the open field trying to catch lightening bugs. I would keep them in our garage in a little bottle with holes poked in it. I thought they were absolutely amazing. I am pretty sure that when I was little I could spend hours catching lightening bugs. Whitney |
an afternoon tea Jenna Pelej I really enjoyed this haiku because it reminded me so much of my childhood. I remember when I was little, I had this tiny tea set my grandma had bought for me. I would set it up on this small table, and all of my stuffed animals were my guest. My special guest was usually my grandpa that I call Papa. He would sit there patiently with me while I pretended to poor tea and we would drink it together. He also called me Dolly which always made me feel special. He would do anything to see me smile; it is one of my greatest memories. Whitney |
all these weird feelings Jay Johnson (7) I can just remember they way i felt when i started really liking girls and you get your first crush and you got all these weird feelings going through your body and you just don't know what to do with your self its like you are truly going to explode. Grandville |
yellow flowery dress Joan Tirado (11) This haiku makes me laugh because we’ve all been in an embarrassing situation where we assumed something completely wrong. Then because we don’t think about what we’re going to say, we say a comment such as the, “are you pregnant?”, and, thus, want to stick our foot in our mouth. This is the image that comes to mind. A person trying to be nice and show interest in another’s life, and it backfires horribly. The offended woman replies curtly and storms off leaving the inquisitor feeling sheepish. Brittney I thought this haiku was hilarious. It reminded me of a time when I was working with one of my good friends and she was telling me about how at a family event someone thought she was pregnant because she was a little heavier set. We were talking about the personality of that conversation and what goes through a person mind when they say something like that and how bad they must have felt. I thought she had a good spirit about it though because all she could do was laugh. I can see the sarcasm and that same lighter spirit and almost hear my friends voice saying it when this is read. The first line throws you for a shock though because its almost mocking the nice and graceful poems we have been hearing because its so frilly and happy then are you pregnant? Which is probably the last thing a girl wants to hear when she is all pretty and glamorous if she really isn’t pregnant! Amy |
stolen glance |
a moonlit path Shannon Hackl I really like this haiku because it flows so well and you can picture the two people walking on a very long deck beside a lake. For some reason I think it should be more appropriate to say “new couple”. I think this because I feel that, sometimes, new couples are the types that do these kinds of romantic things. I go on dates with my boyfriend but those butterflies don’t exist anymore. I feel that if a new couple took a “lakeside tour” the lake would calm them down and they won’t feel uncomfortable anymore; the lake symbolizes calmness. Joan I chose this haiku because when I read it, I see something right out of a movie. I picture this couple walking down beside the lake, and it’s chilly outside so the girl is wearing the boy’s jacket. It’s a scene that comes straight from a love story. It is just a very soothing picture to imagine. Chonita |
no, mom . . . |
Sunday dinner |
Sound of Mother's voice . . . Lorin Glazer At first I was thinking that the mother had quickly gone from reading a story to saying the light would be turned off. Then I came to realize that the child was trying to read a book when suddenly the means to do so were cut off by darkness. In any case, bedtimes and the necessity for sleep tend to be far from fun. Rider |
blender’s on |
death separates |
harvest Cindie Zelhart This is my childhood! I grew up on a farm and I remember many times just wanting my dad to come in from the fields and he would come in so late. I can just see myself laying on the couch, or begging my mom to take me down to the field. I can picture myself looking out our huge glass windows into the dark of night and seeing the lights of the combine. Phil K |
tears fall Brittney Gillespie The memory of my parents divorce brought me in connection with this haiku. I remember I came home from snowboarding camp and my mom and dad told me they were separating. I did not believe them. My dad left afterward and I was daddy’s girl so I was sad. I blamed it all on my mom, which I should have never done but I was young and did not know the truth. Lorin |
my heels on brick |
heat of summer |
gentle grass |
don’t talk Brittney Gillespie For this one I could just picture a young couple laying in bed, the girl upset about something and her boyfriend trying to comfort her. I have had many of my friends of my female friends tell me about how they just want their boyfriends to hold them, nothing needs to be said, but the closeness is what is important. Phil K I thought that this was very warm. I loved this poem because it reminds me of a moment I had with a guy I was dating. It makes me think of how nice that felt. That moment where its like… don’t talk cause you’ll ruin the moment just lay here. When it’s the beginning stages of a relationship people are nervous sometimes and they just blabber on and don’t make sense. This guy I was seeing really was a master at ruining moments like that because he was struck with nothing to say! I remember how lovely it was to just lay there and soak up each others presence. Amy |
swimming in peaceful waters |
a bent cigarette |
the snowman displays John Wright |
snow shoes Lindsey Jones Reading this, I go back to when I was younger and all my friends and I would go right down the street to Southeast Elementary School during winter break. The parking lot would be cleared out, with the huge piles of snow on the sides. We would play king of the hill. I can remember being a little hesitant to stand on the top of the hills because I was always afraid that I would fall through. Chonita |
hands so cold they burn |
snowday |
the first downfall |
knee-deep |
i knew it was coming Brittney Gillespie (2) |
naughty word Lizabeth Hare (12) This made me laugh out load. One time I accidentally said a bad word in front of my mother and her facial expression scared me so much because at the time I didn’t know how to read it but now I know what it was. She looked like she was going to pop from at that time I thought anger but it was more of shocked and it must have been funny to hear it out of a little mouth. If I have kids I know I will be the same way. You know its bad but at the same time it is hilarious because it is such a shock. Amy |
inside |
reading |
in a grid of numbers Rider Hallenstein I hate math. I’ve hated it since I can remember. Do we really need to learn much after addition, subtraction, multiplication and division? All we need to know is enough to do our taxes and make sure we have enough money at the grocery store. Graphs, parabolas, etc…USELESS! I was and still am the kid sitting in math class so frustrated to the point were my mind is paralyzed to the point when I can’t do it. It angers me to a degree that it really shouldn’t. It’s sad. Keith |
leaky tent Rachel Morrison Every summer my family goes to Bloomington to meet with my aunt, uncle, and cousin for camping. So reading this haiku, I can definitely relate to sleeping in a leaky tent on top of rocks and sticks, but at the same time you are fast asleep. It’s so relaxing to be outside in nature and fall asleep to the sounds of the bugs and other animals. Chonita |
heads planted in snow |
locked in our rooms Lindsey Jones I chose to write a response to this Haiku because my families Christmas ritual was much the same. Except we had to wait at the top of the stairs while my parents got the camera ready. I am a proponent of large families. Our family was pretty large, with five children. As a child I knew that my parents were always bustling around, to prepare Christmas, but I never thought that they were Santa. It makes me wonder now why I never put ‘two and two together.’ Philip D |
tiny fist Lizabeth Hare I really like this haiku as well, because it reminds me of all of the times I would think I had the most beautiful flowers to give my mom. I would bring them in and give them to her, a lot of times they were dandelions and not even flowers to begin with. She would always look at me with this big smile and tell me how much she loved me. Looking back I realize it wasn’t the flowers at all, but the gesture. This is something I will remember for the rest of my life. Whitney |
flakes rolled into a ball |
the ultimate taboo— John Wright This entry is humorous and simultaneously grotesque. Personally I'd never taste yellow snow. But perhaps someone was gullible enough to be convinced that the "yellow snow" was lemonade flavored Italian ice. to their dismay it proved to be a concoction derived from someone's canine relieving itself in patch of snow. Ewwww. Jay This one made me laugh harder than any other haiku in the list, even the one with the sled and the tree! I can just imagine kids reacting to such an idea as either some huge dare or something to be simply avoided. Or just out there. And no, I don't condone the tasting or touching or eating of yellow snow. Ew. Rider |
combat the emotion |
purple umbrella |
kids running Rachel Morrison (6) This haiku reminds me of my brother who runs with my other younger cousins when I want to kiss them on the cheek. They run around like scared animals as I chase them to give them the dreaded girl kiss since I have cooties. It is so funny how boys think that a kiss will make them a girl because they are not supposed to like it. I find it funny when scream and try to tackle me to stop my chase. Sometimes I wish to go back to those years. Alya |
lemonade |
first home |
hair twisting up and around Amy Hoffstetter This haiku is one of my favorites because it reminds me of my recent trip to the Dominican Republic. We took a day trip to the city of the Bani where there are amazing dunes, beaches, and mountains. After climbing to the top of the dunes, we went to the public beach. I remember standing in the water, letting the warm ocean water wash over my ankles. The wind was blowing through my hair and one of my friends commented that I looked like I was in my own little heaven. Jenna |
frilly socks |
floppy ears and wiggly tail Whitney Minor I like this haiku because I can really connect with the main idea it gives off. I have two dogs. One of them I recently got for myself. I see her as a sister. I also see her as a best friend. I take her everywhere with me when I am home. Lorin I feel that this haiku has different emotions in it. I see happiness but at the same time a little sadness calmed with a little happiness. I see a puppy given to a little boy at Christmas time and he is so excited. That night the puppy sleeps with him that night cuddling. Then I see another little boy who is not liked at school and finds a friend in a dog. The dog brings him happiness in a world were he is judged. Joan When I read this, immediately, my own dog, Tucker came to mind. He is this huge Labrador-newfoundland mix. I love how dogs can’t hide their emotions. You can always tell if they are happy or sad. My own dog use to follow me everywhere I went. For a while, we lived out in the country away from town. Occasionally, I would muster up the motivation to ride my bike to town. Tucker would try to follow me, but he could never keep up. I would get tired as soon as I got to town and go get a pop from the gas station/store. A couple times, I would be sitting at the counter, drinking, and talking to the owner, when all of a sudden I hear this barking. The owner asked me if I had a dog. Sure enough, I look outside and it was Tucker. He had followed my scent the whole way there. Rachel |
watching intently John Wright This haiku automatically makes me get the theme of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stuck in my head and reminds me of the days when Saturday morning cartoons were still amazing. I used to watch the Ninja Turtles movies and cartoon incessantly. Raphael was always the coolest. Brittney First of all, I loved the Ninja Turtles. Despite the fact that girls weren’t really supposed to love Ninja Turtles, I was completely into them, and so was my friend. She had this battle castle with Shredder and Krang in his biomechanical suit, and it was completely awesome. Anyway, I suppose one of the reasons why I liked them so much was that my parents were mostly absent. My mom went to work during the day and went to college at night, she told me a number of times that as soon as she graduated she was divorcing my dad. My dad just sat in front of the TV when he got home and barely said a word to anyone. But at least, when I got home, for a few hours they were gone and I could watch my Ninja Turtles in peace. Deirdre |
crescent moon Alya Saqer This haiku makes me feel that it is a warm summer night and I am singing on my pouch sing with a friend. We are talking and eating a bowl of ice cream. As a child it was the best thing to stay up late and be able to go out side. When we looked up at the sky it looked like a whole different world and we just imaged what it would be like to be up there. Lindsey |
she packs the snow Phil Koberlein The description in this haiku is amazing. It brings almost a movie clip to mind. I can see the girl preparing for the snow ball fight, and then she’s ambushed. The senses register the coldness of the snow, especially when it slides down her cheek. Brittney |
snowball fight |
a teacher's prying eyes Rachel Morrison The look, we all know the look. It’s a mixture of disappointment and rage, and any child who has any shred of a soul will immediately sit still and pay the most rapt attention when they are served the look. The look is also usually followed by the teacher silently walking to the board and writing your name on it, further transgressions earned you checks that brought you closer to detention. We all hate the look. Funnily enough, you would think that that would be something that they teach in college, but I’ve never heard of any of the English Ed. majors talking about it. English teachers have the worst look of all. Deirdre |
scared Lorin Glazer (3) In this haiku I see a young child with their first real bicycle. The bicycle has just had the training wheels removed and the child is trying to learn to ride. The dad is running along side in case the child loses their balance. To me the first line is ambiguous. The first time I read the poem I thought the dad was the one who is scared that the child would have an accident. However, after I read it a couple more times I thought it could also be the child who was scared. I see this haiku happening during the summer months. Cindie |
fresh from a bath |
in the park Philip Jones In this haiku I see a young kid who has been playing at the park. He has lost track of time because he was involved in a ball game or just goofing off with his friends. All of the sudden he realizes the sun in going down and he better be home before dark. He jumps on his bike and pedals as fast as he can to get home on time. I see this haiku happening during the summer when kids spend lots of time at the ball park watching games and spending time with friends. Cindie |
mom’s make-up |
there once was a time Rider Hallenstein (6) |
sleepily sprawled on the couch Rachel Morrison I like this haiku because I love to watch cartoons. This reminds me of a saturday morning with mom making breakfast and us watching the cartoons so that we would not bother mother in the kitchen. I still love to watch cartoons it is my favorite thing to do on saturday mornings. I get up from bed and go into the living room with my blankets and pillow and turn on the cartoon station. Lindsey |
leaves fall Alyssa Owens This haiku makes me envision a little girl scout going door to door in her neighborhood selling cookies. It’s a cool fall day and she is proudly wearing her sash over a green sweater. She is getting tired because she walked her entire neighborhood, attempting to get enough sell enough cookies to win the top prize in her troop. The last house she stops at is that of an old man. The little girl is sure he won’t buy any cookies from her, but she tries anyways. To her surprise he buys 5 boxes. As he closes the door, she stands there in disbelief, the leaves swirl around her. Jenna |
nicks and scrapes Rachel Morrison (6) This haiku reminds me of when I was young, climbing trees with my cousins. We would go spend our Sundays at our grandparents’ farm and one of our many activities to keep us occupied was tree climbing competitions. My brother would always climb the highest in a close tie with my cousin Brandi. Next was my cousin Jennifer and then me, second to last only to my mildly autistic cousin, Mark. We were actually forbidden to climb trees for fear we would get hurt so whenever we got caught, we would blame it one Mark. Keith |
the day after Christmas |
reflective pond |
old friends Rider Hallenstein I like this one a lot. It reminds me of me and my friends from high school. We all went our separate ways for a couple of years, but now we are all moms and have play dates with the kids at least a couple times a month and catch up on our own lives. Andi |
swinging with the |
a delight for all— Brittney Gillespie This haiku reminds me of when I first came to America as a child. I did not know how to speak in English and the only language I could communicate was in Arabic. I remember not understanding the children games or even the jokes because I was going through bad cultural shock based that I did not know why they were what they did. Therefore, I remember sitting in the corner hoping to go back to Kuwait to see my child hood friends and my favorite teachers. But eventually I learned how to become an American but inside I am still that same little girl that wonders why people do the things they do. In addition, this haiku is very relatable in that I can understand the loneliness of being ignored by others based on that you are different. I think that once you accept yourself will others accept you as well. Alya I was always that girl, you know, -that- one. When all the girls got together and collaged and sparkled things, I sat in the corner and watched one of my Barbie dolls melt on the radiator. Some people just never fit in, thank god. You know, even though the girl is sitting in the corner by herself, I bet she has a rich imagination, and in some ways isn’t even alone as the others fawning over whatever activity. I like those girls, I am that girl. Yes, so, fight the power. Deirdre |
a nightmare Brittney Gillespie This one is so cute! I can just parents lying in bed, with a new baby. Hardwood floors, the soft pounding of little socks all through the house. It brings warmth to me, and makes me feel like the childlike feelings all over again. There is nothing more amazing than the innocence and naivety of a child. Phil K |
out the window |
bundled up for snow angels Shannon Hackl This seems exactly how it is. There is 3 of us girls in the family and not many kids in our neighbor so we had to play together. It would take us like an hour to get ready to go outside to play and we would only spend 30 min out side playing. Then it would take 45 min to undress and get warmed up again. Then we would do it all over again. Lindsey I enjoy this one because it reminds me of when the first snow came and I took my son outside for his first time in the snow and we made snow angels. I took a lot of pictures and it lasted maybe 10 minutes because it was so cold outside. Andi |
reaching for lilacs Whitney Minor (9) I always would go on wakes, mostly on vacation or during the summer, and find flowers to pick for my mom. What made me do this? I guess just a wanted or a longing to please my mother. Also, I viewed her as a pretty women so I wanted to give a suitable gift. Flowers were always a suitable gift for a gentleman to give to an honorable women. I like how this Haiku puts in the ‘paper cup’ reference because although the presentation of flowers to a mother in paper cup isn’t a dozen roses, they appreciate it and make you feel good for making your gift. Philip D I really enjoyed this haiku. When I was growing up my mother had three to four lilac bushes in our yard. They were all different shades of purple and they smelled like heaven. Whenever they were in bloom mom would take us outside with scissors and cut some of them down to bring in the house. They didn’t last very long in the house but the fragrance filled whatever room they were in. Whenever I smell lilacs I feel very comforted. Lizabeth |
markings |
© 2007, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.