Haiku Kukai 4 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Spring 2019
training wheels gone Mason Bruce (11) I really like this haiku because it gives a sense of accomplishment. I love the feeling of accomplishment because it makes me feel good. I get to see how far I have come and how much hard work I had to do to get to the point that I am at. I like this haiku because a lot of people can relate to it. That moment where you are doing it all on your own with no help. That feeling of accomplishment is so great and you want everyone to see you and what you are doing. Finally riding that bike after attempting to for so long. Taking off the training wheels and all that falls that come with trying to ride the bike make that moment when you can finally do it worth it. I like this haiku because it goes with any accomplishment that you can make. The pride in yourself and the pride that others have for you for accomplishing something is an amazing feeling to have. Knowing that pushing through the tough times and finally making it is worth everything that you had to go through to get to that moment. That is what I like about this haiku. Emily Reeves, Spring 2019 |
permit in hand Mason Bruce (7) |
twisting and turning Mason Bruce I really resonated with this haiku because when I was growing up all of my baby teeth were incredibly tough to get out. So much so, I had to have half of them removed by the dentist at some point. For some reason, all of my teeth had unworldly long roots, and it was really tough for me to get out myself. So, this haiku brought me back to a time when I went to the dentist twice, maybe three times, as often as the average kid. It was unpleasant to say the least.’ Jakob Cihak, Spring 2019 |
hearing your voice Julia Peterson (4) |
grandma's vines Julia Peterson (7) |
windows down |
blind date Daryann Birt (11) |
passport Emily Reeves I completely understand this person’s dire need to fill up a passport book. I haven’t been on a vacation, where I needed my passport, in over five years, and I have been longing to visit a new place. This haiku made me remember the first time I had been out of the country, and all of the other times, but the first time I was so excited to get that stamp—Madrid, Spain. On the same vacation, I got to experience that same sense of wonder a few more times: Venice, Italy, and Athens Greece. It was an incredible experience, and I long to visit more faraway lands. Jakob Cihak, Spring 2019 |
Christmas |
evening mist Benjamin Woodcock I really like the atmosphere given by the first line in this haiku. I find an amount of comfort in dense fog; so, I would naturally want to go for a walk in it. I like the word choice, “melancholy,” as well. Melancholy is simply a satisfying word to say. The deeper feeling of this haiku is relatable for me, too. Sometimes I just need to go for a run, and breath the outside air. Whitley Sapp, Spring 2019 |
Polar Pop Benjamin Woodcock (11) This was the funniest haiku of Kukai 4! It managed to be humorous, relatable, and poetic, as well as being very central to life as a Millikin student. I think that it was smart to capitalize "Polar Pop" to ensure that the audience is aware that this is a brand, rather than imagining the sound of a pop in a polar region. The fact that this cup is "filled to the brim" with these bad decisions shows that there is plenty of room in the night for those bad decisions to present themselves. Ariya Hawkins, Spring 2019 |
late night phone call Daryann Birt (4) This haiku is a perfect example of the surprise element that can make haiku so enjoyable to read. Like I said in class, the first two lines made me think it was a haiku about a broken up phone call, but with “he needs time to find himself” the haiku became relatable on a much more personal level, allowing the audience to see themselves in the haiku and have an emotional response. Connor Mendenhall, Spring 2019 |
swimming lesson |
cast party Benjamin Woodcock (7) |
across the room— Amanda Bivens (10) I imagined like a couple who broke up, but they still go to the same school so they see each other and around all the time. Julia Peterson, Spring 2019 |
the baby’s cry Evan Chastain (7) This haiku made me giggle because it was extremely visual to me. I imagined sitting in a park crowded with children and families. Along all these people a couple with a newly born baby are there. The wife has to leave for some reason and I just picture the baby starting to cry and the father panicking quietly. I envision him trying different ways to help the baby but then the mother comes back and knows exactly what to do. And its funny because it was so simple but he honestly was trying the best he could! Grace Ruddell, Spring 2019 When I read this haiku, I knew this would happen to me one day. I imagine a father who just had his first child and the wife is gone for a couple of hours at work. This is the first time he is watching her alone and he is doing good so far. Then the baby finally cries, and he does not know what to do to stop the child from crying. He eventually realizes the baby just wanted its bottle. Rene Sanchez, Spring 2019
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mountains of homework Amanda Bivens (7) I like this haiku because I can relate to this. When it comes to school, I am normally not a procrastinator. I am one to “plan my attack” on the assignments given and get them done in a timely manner (normally really early). This past semester, I started to let loose a little. I didn't necessarily become a procrastinator, but I have definitely slacked from what I used to be. I would get so stressed, that I was physically making myself sick. I ended up having to have a procedure because I made myself so sick and my doctor couldn't figure out why I was so sick. I found out that I have a chronic illness and stress makes it a lot worse. I had to learn how to deal with stress so that I wouldn't get as sick as I had been. I learned that I needed to relax in certain aspects of my life. I still turn things in on time, but I am more relaxed when it comes to doing my assignments. I will do some homework and then get on my phone for a bit. I continue this pattern until I am done with my homework. I like this haiku because I often check my pinterest when I am doing homework, and it reminds me that rest is just as important as doing work. Emily Reeves, Spring 2019 |
childhood friends |
mirror, mirror Amanda Bivens (8) I enjoyed this haiku because it's not only humorous but made me think about beauty standards. I imagine a woman gazing into the mirror at herself, taken aback by her own beauty and then focusing in on this single gray hair. It's an indication that there are more coming, and that her youth is slowly fleeting. But I also think that this image speaks to the fact that women fear growing older for fear of being seen as less desirable. She believes that the gray hair is what's standing in the way of her being the "fairest of them all", which is just a tad disappointing. Ariya Hawkins, Spring 2019 |
dawn breaks Evan Chastain (6) I like this haiku because I can relate to it so much. I can see myself in bed not wanting to get up and then seeing the sun coming through the blinds on my window in my room then forcing myself to get up and be productive and not lay in bed all day like id like too. Daryann Birt, Spring 2019 |
church play Benjamin Woodcock (5) |
very last parking spot Amanda Bivens (7) Thats such a good feeling when you get the last parking spot. Julia Peterson, Spring 2019 This may be one of the most relatable haikus that I have read in our time together. I praise whoever wrote this and am quite upset that I didn’t get to raise two hands when reading this aloud in class. I read the first two lines in this haiku together and put the break in before the final line. I do this because I like to put stress on WAITING because if you show up to the lot at a peak time good luck to you my friend. Millikin has had this problem for my 4 years at Millikin. They can tear down dorms and buildings but when it comes to adequate parking, no chance. As you can see I feel strongly towards this message and I’m glad I could reflect on it. I love the tone and structure to this haiku because it’s so relatable. Mason Bruce, Spring 2019
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little girl's first funeral Ariya Hawkins (7) There is something so profound about this haiku to me. The little girl is experiencing her first funeral, the first black dress, a bunch of firsts. What happens is she doesn't learn about death, about crying people, etc. She learns what a soul is. How profound is that? A little girl learning what a soul is. That is what hooked me onto this haiku. I can imagine the little girl in all black, sitting in a church pew with incense in the air. She looks around and sees all the people mourning and something finally clicks in her that people are not immortal here on Earth, but people are more than just a shell, they have something on the inside, they have a soul. Connor Mendenhall, Spring 2019 |
a wrong turn Evan Chastain This haiku is pretty mysterious, and I think that’s what I like about it the most. Does this person just have a bad sense of direction, or is it something more? My way of initially interpreting it led me to believe this person tends to make poor decisions, and for some reason they keep doing it. Perhaps they don’t often think before they act, or they get too caught up in the moment to allot time for reservations. I’m sure this leads them to some pretty positive experiences, ones they may not have had contemplating their reservations, but I bet they also get themselves into some tough situations. In this way, I almost envy their free spirit sense of approaching life, as I tend to overthink situations. However, I don’t often regret my decisions. Who knows, maybe this person really is just bad with directions? Jakob Cihak, Spring 2019 |
sound of bongos |
windy night . . . Whitley Sapp (6) This reminded me of a windy night last week. My girlfriend sleep overs sometimes and she happens to snore sometimes. She always falls asleep before me so this haiku took me back to that moment when the wind was so audible, it would be louder than her soring. This haiku made me smile with that thought. I also really loved the use of the word vibration. It made me really understand the weight of the wind hitting against the walls. Grace Ruddell, Spring 2019 |
cosmic brownies Breana Bagley (5) This haiku revives childhood memories, as well. My siblings and call my grandmother “Mimi,” so a familiar name makes this poem all the more relatable. Grandma Mimi did, and still does, have little plastic tea party sets in a wicker picnic basket in her living room. I can see them clearly in my mind, because my nieces and nephews now play with the toys that I once played with. Additionally, I love cosmic brownies. Whitley Sapp, Spring 2019 |
saturday rain . . . Whitley Sapp (6) |
sweat suit the color Breana Bagley (7) |
ring pop proposal Ariya Hawkins (5) This was one of my favorite haiku from this Kukai because it was very relatable, and I almost wrote something like this myself. I took this is the comedic fashion, although it could be perceived as sad. I enjoyed the set up of the first line. Using the words ring pop associated with the word proposal, already tells the reader it is going to be comical because you wouldn’t typically associate a child’s toy with a life-long commitment. Finishing the poem with the last two lines by using sarcasm to reference a life long commitment that would be very difficult to reach, by associating it with the ring pop, lead me to believe it was meant comically and not as a sad antidote. Breana Bagley, Spring 2019 |
acoustic guitar Ariya Hawkins (5) |
a stepping stool from coffee can Ariya Hawkins (4) |
easy listening . . . |
well well well Breana Bagley (4) |
tiny pebbles always layer Jakob Cihak (4) |
grass stains Connor Mendenhall (5) I loved how I could not only picture this one, but I could also kind of smell it. Grass stains always had such a distinct smell. This haiku reminds me of summer when my friends and I would play football in the yard and come in with grass stains. I also really like the use of the word “intertwined.” Makes you wonder if they are intertwined with the earth itself, or each other. Overall, I just really enjoyed how any senses this haiku provoked. Benjamin Woodcock, Spring 2019 |
loved you like a sister |
sheepish teenager Connor Mendenhall This haiku was really relatable. In most aspects of my life, I am generally pretty shy. Especially through high school, I was mainly a wallflower. Now, as a senior in college, I can reflect back on the days were I would be a fly on the wall verses getting involved in class discussion, etc. This haiku makes me feel sad for the sheepish teenager and as if she feels left out. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019 |
grey sky Jakob Cihak (5) |
baby boy Connor Mendenhall (5) |
sorry sister |
gone to the desert |
dad said Dumbo Breana Bagley (7) |
open casket Connor Mendenhall (8) This made me think of a teenager sitting in the funeral home looking over their recently deceased grandfather. Then, as they were listening to the priest talk about his journey after death, the familiar scent hit them. A scent that began a rush on memories and incidents that shaped their relationship. They began to cry even more then they previously were and found themselves in a tunnel of memories. It was a typical funeral scene with yellowish lights shining on the walls. That feeling of a place that looks nice, but you don’t want to be there. Evan Chastain, Spring 2019 This is more of a serious haiku, I imagine a very sad setting. I picture a grandpa whose day has finally came. Everyone from the family and friends are all gathered for his funeral. When people would go up to see him they can smell his after shave. It is probably a very distinct smell that only he would smell like that everyone can recognize. Rene Sanchez, Spring 2019
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that smell Evan Chastain (9) This haiku takes me back to my own grandma's house, specifically her kitchen. I'd walk into her dark tiny kitchen with country scenes depicted on orange and brown wallpaper, dark wooden cabinets, and yellow tile floor. Her fridge would be covered with pictures of family and masterpieces from us grandchildren. It never failed . . . her kitchen smelled like over-ripe bananas awaiting to be turned into banana bread. I'd open up her plastic orange Tupperware canisters that she used as cookie jars, and grab a handful of sandwich cookies from Aldi. I can hear the sounds of all of the different clocks in her house ticking, and the occasional cuckoo or chime. My grandparents have been gone for several years now, and I am so glad that this haiku was able to take my back and remember. Amanda Bivens, Spring 2019 Instantly bringing a sense into the first line also set the setting for the poem, even though it was still mentioned in the last line. Being able to smell allows the reader to know they are somewhere, that they are active in the poem. The last two lines were nice because it tied up the unknown of the reader by taking them on the journey to the exact setting of grandma’s house. I loved this because every grandparent’s home just has a distinct smell, and in that smell lay the memories you have made with one another. This poem was just a sweet reminder that no matter how hectic life gets, you can always make the journey back to grandma’s, where your comfort can be found. Breana Bagley, Spring 2019 Reading this just brings the smell of grandmas house into my nostrils. There is something about a grandparents house that has a distinct smell that then brings back these memories and feelings of happiness from when you are younger. When you walk in or smell the smell anywhere you are it just brings a sudden memory of being at their house. Daryann Birt, Spring 2019 I enjoyed this haiku because of the sentimental feeling associated with it. For me, my grandma is one of the best people that I know, and I cherish her knowledge and love. Growing up my brother and I spent much time at the grandparent’s house and there are definitely little things that you remember when bringing them up in conversation. So when I read this is just put me in a good mood and brought back many happy memories from my childhood. There is not much structure or tone behind this haiku, but it definitely resonates with me on another level. Mason Bruce, Spring 2019 |
told to pick Emily Reeves (4) |
sick to her stomach Daryann Birt (4) |
antique car |
he calls my name Connor Mendenhall (5) |
laying in the truck bed Breana Bagley (10) |
guitar's brass strings Connor Mendenhall (7) |
thinking of the way |
I hold your hand Evan Chastain (5) I love this particular haiku, because it reminds me of how my husband and I like to sit around and reminisce about when we first met, and what made us fall in love with each other. My mom keeps my children overnight every couple of weeks so my husband and I can go on a date. We always end up walking around the lake like we did when we first started dating. It's dark at the lake, and a little chilly. I can feel the wind hitting my face, but it never stops us. We walk hand-in-hand and see how the lakefront has changed. The waves crash along the shoreline with the breeze, and a few ducks and geese keep watch while the others sleep to make sure that we aren't predators. I can hear my heartbeat and the sound of our shoes hitting the pavement. We walk up the now questionable stairs to the overlook platform, and overlook the dark water beneath us, and share a late-night kiss. We talk about who we were thirteen years ago, who we've become now, and who we want to be in the future. Amanda Bivens, Spring 2019 |
double dog dare Breana Bagley (3) |
laying on the floor— Mason Bruce (9) I enjoyed this haiku because of the sense of longing. The author appears to be searching for a purpose, whether that be in life, in a relationship, in a job; I think that is up for the readers interpretations. I also like the word choice of glimpse in this haiku; it's almost like the author gets a taste as to what their future could be but does not have the complete picture. This haiku can also be seen as hopeful because of the fact that the author is laying on the ground as a metaphor for that is as low as they can be. They are looking for a more positive future and see just a glimpse of the light ahead. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019 I enjoyed this haiku because of the sense of longing. The author appears to be searching for a purpose, whether that be in life, in a relationship, in a job; I think that is up for the readers interpretations. I also like the word choice of glimpse in this haiku; it's almost like the author gets a taste as to what their future could be but does not have the complete picture. This haiku can also be seen as hopeful because of the fact that the author is laying on the ground as a metaphor for that is as low as they can be. They are looking for a more positive future and see just a glimpse of the light ahead. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019 |
two horses, three dogs, and a pig Mason Bruce (8) |
the lines curve and cross |
late night Mikaela Vuglar I enjoy this haiku from kukai 4 because of the feeling I got when reading it. A feeling of goosebumps rose on my arm because I know the context of what the author was insinuating. This is just one of those nights that you are relaxing, sweatpants on, just watching the game and an unexpected knock booms through the house. First of all, no one likes uninvited guests in the late-night hours and certainly not a female when you are exclusive. The last line also got me tripped up because the offset line giving a sense of mischievousness or shame. Mason Bruce, Spring 2019 |
Christmas Eve pajamas Mikaela Vuglar (5) This haiku revives precious Christmas memories for me. My sister and I would wake each other up and rush down to a dimly lit living room that always seemed so perfectly magical. My family doesn't have a pajama-related tradition; however, I did always wear my favorite pajamas to bed—so I’d be ready to go in the morning. For no particular reason, I always think of a Christmas morning when I was wearing my Batman pajamas. Whitley Sapp, Spring 2019 |
on the counter |
French braids |
Friday night out |
eyes closed Evan Chastain (8) |
a friend's backyard Mikaela Vuglar (7) |
holding your hand Amanda Bivens (9) I really like this haiku because I relate a lot to this haiku and the emotions that it brings. My dad passed away when I was fourteen. He battled pancreatic cancer for a couple years. He went into remission twice, but it came back each time. The last time that it came back, he was too weak to have any more chemo or radiation, and the doctors refused to do surgery because they thought the cancer would spread as soon as they opened him up. They placed him on hospice and gave him six months to live at that point. Each night before I went to sleep I thought that that night was the last night that I would see him and that he would pass away sometime during the night. Every time I would see him, I thought he would pass away while I was holding his hand. That anticipation killed me. I was trying to be ready for when that time came, but no matter how much I anticipated it and knew that it was coming, I was not prepared for when it actually happened. Reading this haiku took me back to those final moments that I had with my dad before he passed away. I feel regret for not being there for his last breath even though he did not want us to be there. I also feel peace when reading this haiku because he is no longer in pain and suffering from such an awful disease. Emily Reeves, Spring 2019 |
new teeth . . . Rene Sanchez (6) This one was a little sad but also a little happy. It reminded me of when I had braces as a kid and I absolutely hated smiling with my teeth showing because I felt so ugly. When I finally got my braces off I wanted to cry. I had never had perfect teeth and now I didn’t have crazy crooked teeth to hide! The “two years” line really hit me. Thinking about having that insecurity for so long is daunting but honest. At the same time, it is very satisfying because, after all that time, this person can finally smile! Grace Ruddell, Spring 2019 |
only child Daryann Birt (6) I related to this one pretty hard. I was adopted from Korea, and when I was five, my parents told me they were planning on adopting another child. I was initially excited, until she came and I realized how much attention she was taking. I don’t remember this, but apparently I told my teacher at the time that I wished my parents would send her back. Of course, I don’t think that way anymore, but this haiku reminded me of that. Benjamin Woodcock, Spring 2019 I really enjoyed this haiku because I am the oldest child. I was an only child for four years until my brother was born. I was so excited but was not used to sharing so I was a bit of a brat at first. Then my sister was born shortly after this and the three of us fought like crazy. Now there is hardly a time at home when the three of us are not together. This haiku brought me back to a childhood-like state. I will forever be grateful to my parents for giving me my two best friends, my little brother and sister. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019 |
valentine’s day. . . Rene Sanchez When I began imagining this, I immediately went to a couple spending the day together. As I continued, it turned out to be a single person crying in their room thinking no one loved them. The room was only lit by a desk lamp in the corner, and the mood was sad and dreary. They were scrolling through social media looking at the fun others were having, and not being able to join in any way. It made me feel said for them and wish them the luck of finding someone to celebrate it with. Evan Chastain, Spring 2019 |
graduation day Amanda Bivens (9) |
gloomy day Rene Sanchez (5) This haiku painted a well-crafted image that gives the reader a vivid idea of the setting; a funeral procession. The second line states that "cars follow", so the subject is likely in the very first vehicle after the hearse and was closely related to whomever was deceased. The fact that this is a gloomy day already puts the reader into a somber mood, so the descriptor of a "gloomy day" was perfectly placed as the introductory line. The rhythm of this haiku feels quite natural as well, and as I read it I'm placing an invisible semi-colon after "gloomy day", which in turn creates the necessary line break for haiku's typical rhythm, even though I believe that the punctuation would be unnecessary. Ariya Hawkins, Spring 2019 |
therapy never ending |
little kids Emily Reeves (8) |
baseball outfield Mikaela Vuglar (6) When reading this I can imagine the feel of the grass on my backend the coldness of it along with the tickle of it. Then I can feel the sun beating down on my face and the breeze blowing but then I can feel the stillness of the outdoors. I picture being in the outfield after a hard softball practice and laying down enjoying the fresh air and the being on one of my happy places and enjoying and taking the step back to enjoy nature. Daryann Birt, Spring 2019 |
a home run Emily Reeves (4) I like this haiku because I can picture a very vivid image of memories I had at Guaranteed Rate Field. This made me imagine when I would go to games with my mom and family. When one of the socks players would hit a homerun, everyone would go wild and, in the moment, you celebrate with everyone around you. I would be so happy I once high fived some random sox’s fan there. Rene Sanchez, Spring 2019 |
toes touching the water Daryann Birt This haiku makes me even more eager for warm weather to hit central Illinois. Every summer, we go out on the lake on my sister's boat and basically party for the day. I can feel the warmth of the sun hitting my back and shoulders, I hear the birds flying around as they gawk, desperately hoping to see a fish to swoop down and enjoy for their lunch. I'm sitting on the edge of the pontoon with my feet dangling in, enjoying a beer or three with my husband, my sister, and brother-in-law. With the anchor down, we drift in circles and watch the other boaters water-ski and tube around the lake. Amanda Bivens, Spring 2019 |
november |
easy morning silence Mikaela Vuglar (5) |
a touch of your hand |
shattered vase Kevin Miller (4) |
old country— Whitley Sapp (5) I felt the image of a young boy listening to every story his grandpa is telling him. It makes me think back to when all I did was cling on my grandpa, and still do to this day, and just listen to every word he said. The scenery is an old farm house and the boy is sitting in front of the grandpa’s rocking chair listening. I imagined his eyes wide, barely blinking, and just creating scenes in his mind of the stories his grandpa is telling. It’ a cool scene to make and a memory for me as well. I liked the “—“ too, which helped lay the scene out perfectly. Evan Chastain, Spring 2019 |
harvest moon |
Oklahoma mutton-bustin' the city kid Ariya Hawkins (5) |
friday night lights Whitley Sapp (6) The structure of this one made it stick out, but I also really liked the content. Friday night lights usually refers to high school football, so I picture a couple who snuck out of the game to hang at the baseball dugouts where they would eventually share their first kiss. There’s something innocent about this haiku that I enjoy, just two high school lovers hanging in the dugout during a football game. There are few things I actually miss about high school, and the Friday night lights are one of them. Benjamin Woodcock, Spring 2019 |
nighttime road Kevin Miller (8) I get a great image out of this haiku. Country road, but it is at least paved, surrounded by trees, no streetlights for the next three miles. The only lights on the road are the headlights with the brights on, but the best part of the haiku is the road is lit by “our happiness.” A clever twist in the haiku to turn it into a happy and romantic haiku. Connor Mendenhall, Spring 2019 Another favorite haiku due to it being so relatable. With the setting of a nighttime road, I expected this to be a more sad poem but was pleasantly surprised to see it was a happy one. Directly after introducing darkness in the first line, I love how the author used the word “lit” in the second line to bring light into the darkness which then led to the predictability of the third line, that this road fostered their happiness. The calmness of an empty road at the end of a long day has always been something that has been comforting for me, not a sad thing, so I really related to this. Breana Bagley, Spring 2019 I imagine a new couple just driving on a dirt road and finding so much about each other and it makes them so happy. Julia Peterson, Spring 2019 |
© 2019, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.