a coffee shop
two cups
their first date

Emily D'Ambrose

eating bagels
and drinking coffee
Romeo and Juliet

Kelsey Meredith

the taste of salt
your tears
or mine?

Molly McCullough

ramen noodles, easy mac
a kit-kat for dessert
Sunday night date

Emily Crutchfield

a coffee shop
two cups
their first date

ramen noodles, easy mac
a kit-kat for dessert
Sunday night date

ramen noodles, easy mac
a kit-kat for dessert
Sunday night date

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

ramen noodles, easy mac
a kit-kat for dessert
Sunday night date

bottom quarter champion

a sterile room
his old, chubby hand
brushing her silver locks

clair de lune
I dream
of a groom I've never met

a sterile room
his old, chubby hand
brushing her silver locks

they stand together
frozen in a kiss
snow globe

Emily D'Ambrose

clair de lune
I dream
of a groom I've never met

Alex Buchko

leaves dance o'er the ground
her voice     my feet
barely touch or make a sound

Darien M. Sloat

a sterile room
his old, chubby hand
brushing her silver locks

Therese O'Shaughnessy

TOP half champion

ramen noodles, easy mac
a kit-kat for dessert
Sunday night date

CHAMPION

dawn's first light
how small
am I

dawn's first light
how small
am I

BOTTOM half champion

coat wrapped around me
memories
make me warmer

Matt Swofford

the cold night
your embrace
keeps me warm

Kennth Albin

your big arms
around me
home at last

Amanda Lee

through the wind
through the rain
she is my rock

Emily Crutchfield

coat wrapped around me
memories
make me warmer

through the wind
through the rain
she is my rock

coat wrapped around me
memories
make me warmer

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

dawn's first light
how small
am I

bottom quarter champion

dawn's first light
how small
am I

we snuck onto the roof
and you found the guts
to kiss me

dawn's first light
how small
am I

we snuck onto the roof
and you found the guts
to kiss me

Courtney Burress

roof top talk
we laugh and ponder
the future

Amanda Lee

dawn's first light
how small
am I

Kennth Albin

sitting on the bridge
hand in hand
her toes spread

Charlie Decker

1st Page Champion

dawn's first light
how small
am I

GRAND GRAND CHAMPION

friends
we can still be
friends

friends
we can still be
friends

2nd Page Champion

she loves me
no matter what
a man's best friend

Jonathan Robertson

high on a shelf
the unused leash
gathers dust

Heidi A. Zapp

my one and only
my true love
my bed

Kelsey Meredith

two slow blinks
in cat that means
I love you

Sarah E. Kisly

high on a shelf
the unused leash
gathers dust

two slow blinks
in cat that means
I love you

high on a shelf
the unused leash
gathers dust

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

love note
says I'm foxy
who wrote this?

bottom quarter champion

love note
says I'm foxy
who wrote this?

laundry room
she shows me the paint
on her brand new bra

love note
says I'm foxy
who wrote this?

laundry room
she shows me the paint
on her brand new bra

Charlie Decker

a gentle kiss—
onions and cigarettes
are all i smell

Jordan Caulk

a half-smile
creeps across her face
the lilt of a rose petal

Darien M. Sloat

love note
says I'm foxy
who wrote this?

Sarah E. Kisly

TOP half champion

love note
says I'm foxy
who wrote this?

CHAMPION
 

friends
we can still be
friends

friends
we can still be
friends

BOTTOM half champion

friends
we can still be
friends

Randi Mehrmann

love is finding someone
who shows you how dumb
you once were

Courtney Burress

blue-eyed smile for him
I pretend I don't know
about her

Sarah E. Kisly

so they're together . . .
he was never
mine to lose

Alex Buchko

friends
we can still be
friends

blue-eyed smile for him
I pretend I don't know
about her

friends
we can still be
friends

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

friends
we can still be
friends

bottom quarter champion

the phone vibrates
her heart leaps
wrong name

she contacts
me
first

the phone vibrates
her heart leaps
wrong name

these chocolates
show I care
right?

Molly McCullough

she contacts
me
first

Charlie Decker

the phone vibrates
her heart leaps
wrong name

Heidi A. Zapp

a knock at the door
again . . .
not for me

Alex Buchko

a coffee shop
two cups
their first date

Emily D'Ambrose

eating bagels
and drinking coffee
Romeo and Juliet

Kelsey Meredith

the taste of salt
your tears
or mine?

Molly McCullough

ramen noodles, easy mac
a kit-kat for dessert
Sunday night date

Emily Crutchfield

a coffee shop
two cups
their first date

Emily D'Ambrose

ramen noodles, easy mac
a kit-kat for dessert
Sunday night date

Emily Crutchfield

I really like how these two haiku show the progression of a romantic relationship. I picture the first haiku as the awkward first date. The two people sit there nervously sipping their coffee in the awkward silences. They make small talk most of the time, as they are both nervous. They use their coffee as a way to do something when it gets awkward. I imagine it late at night and they are the only two left in the coffee shop. Even though they haven’t said much, they enjoy each other’s company. I love how the second haiku shows how their relationship progressed. When people first start dating, each one wants to impress the other. The guy will bring his lady to a fancy restaurant and try to impress her. However, after a while, they are comfortable around each other and no longer need to constantly try to impress each other. They can just relax on a Sunday night and eat candy and cheap food. This is the point where they know they are comfortable in front of each other. I like that they just make something so simple and cheap, yet they enjoy it just as much, if not better, than going out to some fancy restaurant. I just think it is adorable how these two haiku seem to show a progression of a relationship. Amanda

they stand together
frozen in a kiss
snow globe

Emily D'Ambrose

clair de lune
I dream
of a groom I've never met

Alex Buchko

leaves dance o'er the ground
her voice     my feet
barely touch or make a sound

Darien M. Sloat

a sterile room
his old, chubby hand
brushing her silver locks

Therese O'Shaughnessy

This particular matched pair fits perfectly together based on similar themes and a gentleness that accompanies a dreamy mood. Both haiku develop dream-like ideas of love whether in the beauty of a snow globe or through the sweetness of classical tune. These ideas seem very innocent and are overtly feminine portrayals of love. A surreal mood is set with such words as “frozen” and “dream”, which leads me to believe the poets are seeking a fairy-tale romance rather than a realistic relationship. Therese

coat wrapped around me
memories
make me warmer

Matt Swofford

the cold night
your embrace
keeps me warm

Kennth Albin

your big arms
around me
home at last

Amanda Lee

through the wind
through the rain
she is my rock

Emily Crutchfield

I love the feeling of security and protection that these two haiku call to mind. They seem to create a whole picture of one relationship, as one is from a female perspective, the other from a male. This is obviously a couple who find solace and security in each other, both physically and emotionally. I can totally relate to the first one, as while kisses are nice, I prefer hugs for the very reason of the haiku – they bring a warm, encompassing feeling to the huggee, and a strong, solid feeling to the hugger. Alex

I thought this match pair was awesome, because it gave the feel of the different perspectives between a man and a woman in a relationship. The man says the woman is the rock, and the she believes that home is being in his arms. Overall these haiku paired gives me a warm feeling, because I think everyone is happy to see a guy in a girl in love. Jon

we snuck onto the roof
and you found the guts
to kiss me

Courtney Burress

roof top talk
we laugh and ponder
the future

Amanda Lee

dawn's first light
how small
am I

Kennth Albin

sitting on the bridge
hand in hand
her toes spread

Charlie Decker

These two haiku, from Matching Contest 1 – Love Haiku, were the most effective pair at drawing emotion from me. The first reminds me of all the times that I wished when I was still living at home that I had taken the girl I was in love with up to the roof top of Ace Hardware, my favorite place from home, aside from the playground at my elementary school. It reminds me of the perfect moment I could have had. A romantic summer night, sneaking up onto the roof, regardless it’s illegal, and having the guts to make an imperfect moment perfect. The second haiku reminds me of the same spot, and the summer nights spent there with my best friend, Andy, discussing the flaws of our society, laughing at the ridiculousness we were surrounded by, and talking about how great our lives were going to be after we left town to start new lives. Matt

These two haiku poems really spoke to me because of the connection that they had with each other. I saw them as a pair; their relation to each other is undeniable. I read it all together, as a story. First, the young couple sneaks on to the roof, where they have that first kiss together. After that, the adrenaline wears off and they sit their together, talking about their lives and pondering. This shows that they understand that they will have a future together and are connected enough to be able to share this solitude together. I also felt like these were matched well not only in their ideas, but in the structure of the poem. I felt like the first two lines set the scene for us. They put us in the shoes of the author and gave us the setting. The last line resolves the conflict or discussion, the kiss and the future. I felt like this was a beautiful connection. Molly

she loves me
no matter what
a man's best friend

Jonathan Robertson

high on a shelf
the unused leash
gathers dust

Heidi A. Zapp

my one and only
my true love
my bed

Kelsey Meredith

two slow blinks
in cat that means
I love you

Sarah E. Kisly

I would imagine many students chose these haiku as their favorite matched pair. What makes this matched pair so impressive in my mind is the many interpretations one can take on their relationship. I love that these haiku appear to be about a similar human to dog relationship, but at different stages in time. The first could be a young child finally finding a best friend in their new puppy, with the latter then describing the sadness of the unused leash after the dog has passed away. However, the haiku could also be about a person who has become paralyzed or injured in some way and can no longer walk their dog, but their dog stay’s loyal and loving despite the unused leash. Darien

I really like these two because they show the lighter side of love. There have been plenty of times when I have chosen sleeping over being with other people so I thought this was funny. Both of these haiku have a sassy tone to them that I like. I really like the repetition of the word “my” in the first one. It has a nice rhythm to it when you read it out loud. I also like that it sounds like it is going to be a romantic, cheesy haiku, but changes the mood and adds humor at the end. I really like the second one as well because I think it has some great imagery. I can imagine a cat's wide eyes blinking at me. I can also imagine the way cats don't show very much outward affection. I can picture the cat’s owner being excited because finally showed some sign of loving them. These haiku have a similar voice, which I think makes them pair well together. Emily D.

high on a shelf
the unused leash
gathers dust

Heidi A. Zapp

two slow blinks
in cat that means
I love you

Sarah E. Kisly

First of all, I really like the pet parallel. I think it’s really interesting that more than one person decided to write about their pets for the love topic. The contrast between the settings of the haiku are interesting as well. “high on a shelf” is centered on a lonely, dirty shelf. The time is either after the dog (or other animal)’s life has passed, or during a point in its life where it is being neglected. Overall, a very sad haiku. In “two slow blinks,” the setting is not very important, but the reader can infer that it is a good time for the cat. It has an owner that cares for it and gives it enough attention to notice its cat language. On top of the that, the cat’s owner treats it well enough to warrant an “I love you,” which is often quite difficult to earn. Charlie

This was my favorite pair to compare because it really was cats versus dogs, and I am a huge cat lover, even though my favorite haiku didn't win.  It was also my favorite pair because they exemplify such opposite emotions; the first one being depression and sadness that your dog is now gone, and the second one being the feeling you get when you know a cat loves you, which is an achievement. Emily

laundry room
she shows me the paint
on her brand new bra

Charlie Decker

a gentle kiss—
onions and cigarettes
are all i smell

Jordan Caulk

a half-smile
creeps across her face
the lilt of a rose petal

Darien M. Sloat

a sterile room
his old, chubby hand
brushing her silver locks

Therese O'Shaughnessy

love note
says I'm foxy
who wrote this?

Sarah E. Kisly

I loved this old man haiku! It was the perfect picture of sweet, old, innocent, true love. It was also quite sad; the first image that came to mind for me was the beginning of the movie UP. You know, like at the end of the opening sequence where Mr. Fredrickson is with his wife in the hospital; it’s so sweet and beautiful and I loved it! Kudos to the author for making it so far in the championship!

This "Love note" just made me laugh! I could imagine the confusion on the receiver’s face like “Who uses the word ‘foxy’ anymore? What is this, the 70's?” Honestly, I would've loved to receive a valentine like that just to find the sender and ask them why. It's those little moments that make me smile because I enjoy the things that stupid people do; they make me feel a lot smarter than I am. Jordan

friends
we can still be
friends

Randi Mehrmann

love is finding someone
who shows you how dumb
you once were

Courtney Burress

blue-eyed smile for him
I pretend I don't know
about her

Sarah E. Kisly

so they're together . . .
he was never
mine to lose

Alex Buchko

This haiku really hit home for me. And, might I say, Darien’s reading of it gave my goose bumps and made it even more real! I just really like how it’s so simple and says so little, yet it says so much. I really like how the first line and the last are the same- just the single word “friends”. It really reiterates the simplicity of being friends, compared to being in a relationship, which to me is obviously what this person craves from the other person. Kelsey

Though the sheet had them listed in a different order, I like to think of them in the order I listed above. The same girl is the voice of each of these haiku. The first haiku is her finding out that the boy she loves but has never told is now dating someone. She wants him to be with her but she knows that he was never really hers to begin with. The second haiku is her desperately trying to get his attention and make him want to leave his girlfriend, though she will pretend like she doesn’t know. Perhaps this guy is a huge jerk and is going to cheat on his girlfriend with this girl, but doesn’t tell her because he doesn’t think she would be okay with that. However, since the girl wants to be with him so badly, she will pretend like she doesn’t know he has a girlfriend. Courtney

This pair cut me like a knife. Most of my friends (sorority sisters excluded) are guys, so I’m bound to develop feelings for some of them. The problem is that whole “friend zone” thing. These two haiku perfectly put into words the feelings that rush in when you find out that the guy you like is with someone else. The first one says “blue-eyed smile for him” and you do try to be happy because you want him to be happy. I associate blue-eyed with innocence. Like if I found out about them before he was ready to tell me, then I want him to think that I’m oblivious to it until he decides to let me know. The second one is like the feelings after he confirms that they’re together. It feels like a break up even if there was never really anything there to begin with. You feel like you’ve lost your best friend but you can’t let those feelings show because you never did date and anything you say about it is going to come across as jealousy. Heidi

I like the combination of these two because they could be the same event from the same person’s point of view. I the first one she is pretending that she does not know her friend that she has feelings for is dating someone else. She still pretends like she has a shot to date him, and that if she waits just a bit longer he will eventually fall in love with her. I the other poem is that she feels hurt her friend is dating someone else, but she was never dating him so she had no say in who he should date, and she feels like she shouldn’t feel hurt because the person never cheated on her because he had never made a commitment with her. I both poems I assume the person who is speaking will continue on with their lives as though nothing were different, but they would always feel like that had lost somebody that was extremely special. Kenneth

these chocolates
show I care
right?

Molly McCullough

she contacts
me
first

Charlie Decker

the phone vibrates
her heart leaps
wrong name

Heidi A. Zapp

a knock at the door
again . . .
not for me

Alex Buchko

Both of these haiku reference the use of a phone in causing either excitement or despair in love. However, the first one is quite ambiguous, and is more sparsely worded than the second. However, its vagueness enables the reader to expand upon any number of ideas as to its meaning. In the first haiku, it seems as if a young man is waiting for his love interest to call, text, or chat with him. He desires her to make the first move, wishing to read her actions and unspoken cues to detect how she regards him in return. The nature of this haiku could reflect an excited, breathless feeling he acquires upon receiving some sort of contact with her. On the other hand, its meaning could be more somber. After a recent breakup, the ex-girlfriend still reaches out to the young man first when troubles or anxieties befall her. He notes that even though their relationship has terminated, some connection remains, causing him to still be the one she goes to for support, advice, and comfort. The second haiku, although longer and more specific, is still incredibly poignant. The agonizing experience of receiving a call or text, and hoping it to be a crush or admirer, is something most young people have experienced. “Wrong name” bluntly sums up the girl’s pain and disappointment at finding out that whoever is calling her is not the person she had hoped. Sarah