Global Haiku • Spring 2013
Dr. Randy Brooks

rain dance

by
Jordan Caulk

Introduction:

I’ve always considered myself someone who is of a more, “artistic” mindset, if you will. Some may think it strange that I still stare at the clouds and chase butterflies and doodle on homework assignments and sing to myself as a young adult who should be focusing on career goals and how to deal with the copious amounts of debt I’ll be in after college. To be honest, I think about that sh*t every day. Not a moment goes by when I’m not worrying about this—when assignments are due—that—where I’m attending school next semester—or the other—how I’m going to lose 5 lbs. in a week. Some of the haiku I’ve included in this collection capture the bitter and ugly moments of my young adult life and for good reason. I place these hardships in haiku form almost to release them from my body and put the weight of the world onto virtual paper. I also want to capture the shining, childlike moments in my life to give me—as well as others who feel the same—a glimpse into a simpler, happier time, one without worries of debts or body image or any of the problems many adults have.

Reader Intro:

Overall, I enjoyed these haiku and trying to figure out the hidden meanings behind all of them. They all seemed to be deep in their own particular ways as well as being completely random in it of themselves. They covered a brought spectrum of “feels” that made you smile and contemplate themes at the same time. For instance, one haiku reminded me of being a child again (I still am, however), and just finding anything and everything that I could to have fun:
                 
dancing in the rain
       barefoot
       and in love

On the other hand, there were a few that had made me come to the realization that I am not, in fact, a little kid anymore:

cemetery
among the dandelions,
a single red tulip

This haiku made me think of how growing up has shaped me into who I am today and that no matter where you turn, you can always find something beautiful if you just take a step back and look around for a minute.

~Boone McIntosh, sophomore student at Millikin University

i give the frost
on my bedroom window
a smile

social drinking:
only social
when drinking

he kisses me softly
i wonder if he’d like me
if i wasn’t pretty

a large meal—
acid burns
on her first two fingers

forget . . .
they say
you forget . . .

his eyes, my sister’s
his hands, my father’s
his heart, mine

dancing in the rain
barefoot 
and in love

trip to the mailbox—
bills
and a bouquet

the black woman
with a golden tooth
offers me lemon candy

cemetery
among the dandelions,
a single red tulip

the man in the moon
for me,
He is God