deviled eggs and ham—
I bet they didn't rise
today

Jakob Cihak

deviled eggs
nephew smiles
as he takes the last one

Whitley Sapp

Easter dinner
third year in a row
mother informs me I am overweight

Amanda Bivens

new tattoo
grandma scolds me
little cousins smile

Julia Peterson

deviled eggs and ham—
I bet they didn't rise
today

new tattoo
grandma scolds me
little cousins smile

new tattoo
grandma scolds me
little cousins smile

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

shotgun start
everyone scatters
in search of the golden egg

bottom quarter champion

shotgun start
everyone scatters
in search of the golden egg

shotgun start
everyone scatters
in search of the golden egg

feeling so full
I could burst
. . . but there's strawberry shortcake

loose change,
shaking an Easter egg
like a rattle

Jakob Cihak

shotgun start
everyone scatters
in search of the golden egg

Mason Bruce

feeling so full
I could burst
. . . but there's strawberry shortcake

Amanda Bivens

stomach full of food
relaxing on the sofa
grandpa half asleep

Mason Bruce

TOP half champion

shotgun start
everyone scatters
in search of the golden egg

CHAMPIONTOP

the homeless man
watches the family
shop for Easter

the homeless man
watches the family
shop for Easter

BOTTOM half champion

downtown sunday
a boy in a suit
runs in the rain

Grace Ruddell

the homeless man
watches the family
shop for Easter

Evan Chastain

sunday church
the one day
I cannot sleep in

Rene Sanchez

church at 7:30
yawning
my grandparents smile

Julia Peterson

the homeless man
watches the family
shop for Easter

church at 7:30
yawning
my grandparents smile

the homeless man
watches the family
shop for Easter

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

the homeless man
watches the family
shop for Easter

bottom quarter champion

chocolate bunny
hollow
like me

chocolate bunny
hollow
like me

5 final projects
and 3 final papers . . .
Easter “break”

hop hop
hoppy easter — hop hop
to the coffee pot

Breana Bagley

chocolate bunny
hollow
like me

Julia Peterson

family dinner
guilt trip . . .
because i am busy with school

Amanda Bivens

5 final projects
and 3 final papers . . .
Easter “break”

Jakob Cihak

her little one asks
what butterflies
smell like

Ariya Hawkins

dandelions . . .
not a weed
to every one

Amanda Bivens

children laughing in the background
little white socks
folded on the floor

Breana Bagley

faded handprint
on the car window
high five

Kevin Miller

dandelions . . .
not a weed
to every one

faded handprint
on the car window
high five

dandelions . . .
not a weed
to every one

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

dandelions . . .
not a weed
to every one

bottom quarter champion

new restaurant
she spills her secrets
on the dinner table

new restaurant
she spills her secrets
on the dinner table

bean bags flying
straight into the hole
another win

new restaurant
she spills her secrets
on the dinner table

Grace Ruddell

he runs his fingers
over his own hand,
love may come one day

Ariya Hawkins

one mile high
heart racing as you
jump from the plane

Emily Reeves

bean bags flying
straight into the hole
another win

Rene Sanchez

TOP half champion

dandelions . . .
not a weed
to every one

CHAMPIONTOP

blue balloon
begins to blend
with the ever-widening sky

blue balloon
begins to blend
with the ever-widening sky

BOTTOM half champion

baby pink and pastel yellow
polka . . .
dots the baby bump

Breana Bagley

lemon squares
and sun tea
a white lace tablecloth

Whitley Sapp

blue balloon
begins to blend
with the ever-widening sky

Ariya Hawkins

clouds shifting in the sky
easy gazing
in blue and grey

Grace Ruddell

lemon squares
and sun tea
a white lace tablecloth

blue balloon
begins to blend
with the ever-widening sky

blue balloon
begins to blend
with the ever-widening sky

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

blue balloon
begins to blend
with the ever-widening sky

bottom quarter champion

throwing away—
a calendar
full of old to-dos

throwing away—
a calendar
full of old to-dos

finally home
wet dog noses
pressed against my face

disabling nerves
while standing backstage
I fart

Connor Mendenhall

throwing away—
a calendar
full of old to-dos

Whitley Sapp

finally home
wet dog noses
pressed against my face

Grace Ruddell

beyond the construction
our beach
sand volleyball

Benjamin Woodcock

bad hair day
the wind
steals my hat

Whitley Sapp

the gust of wind
my hat
right off my head

Emily Reeves

alarm clock
a woodpecker tap-tap-tap
just outside the window

Whitley Sapp

midmorning opera
the birds perform
as I sip my coffee

Ariya Hawkins

bad hair day
the wind
steals my hat

midmorning opera
the birds perform
as I sip my coffee

midmorning opera
the birds perform
as I sip my coffee

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

midmorning opera
the birds perform
as I sip my coffee

bottom quarter champion

sunshine
brother's dog
lays down beside me

sunshine
brother's dog
lays down beside me

pictures on the wall
remind me of
old friends

sunshine
brother's dog
lays down beside me

Whitley Sapp

peaceful day
of watching the snow
fall . . . from the couch

Daryann Birt

quiet!
my roommate
drops a pot

Julia Peterson

pictures on the wall
remind me of
old friends

Emily Reeves

TOP half champion

midmorning opera
the birds perform
as I sip my coffee

CHAMPIONTOP

midmorning opera
the birds perform
as I sip my coffee

after she left
I now notice
the sound of a watch ticking

BOTTOM half champion

cigarettes:
mom crying into
the telephone

Whitley Sapp

midnight phone call
the same
train horn

Whitley Sapp

nightly routine
not the same without you . .
my toothbrush

Mikaela Vuglar

cool breeze
through the open window
Thursday

Daryann Birt

midnight phone call
the same
train horn

cool breeze
through the open window
Thursday

midnight phone call
the same
train horn

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

after she left
I now notice
the sound of a watch ticking

bottom quarter champion

after she left
I now notice
the sound of a watch ticking

celebrating the holiday . . .
whiskey
to keep me company

after she left
I now notice
the sound of a watch ticking

streaming
our favorite Netflix show
alone

Connor Mendenhall

celebrating the holiday . . .
whiskey
to keep me company

Mikaela Vuglar

after she left
I now notice
the sound of a watch ticking

Benjamin Woodcock

cuffing season is upon us;
I'm happily engaged to
me, myself, and I

Ariya Hawkins

deviled eggs and ham—
I bet they didn't rise
today

Jakob Cihak

deviled eggs
nephew smiles
as he takes the last one

Whitley Sapp

Easter dinner
third year in a row
mother informs me I am overweight

Amanda Bivens

new tattoo
grandma scolds me
little cousins smile

Julia Peterson

I love this haiku, because I also love devilled eggs. We always make two kinds for the holidays, one sour like my mom grew up with and loves, and one batch of sweet for me, the rebel outsider. 
I didn't get nearly enough of my share for Easter, because I was helping my mother-in-law cook. I'm glad that we aren't the only family who loves our devilled eggs. Amanda Bivens, Spring 2019

I enjoyed this matching from Haiku Matching Contest 5 because of the feeling of family associated with deviled eggs. For me this food reminds me of family gatherings. The mention of the nephew smile in the haiku by Whitley just paints a picture of warmth and love felt at a family gathering. I also enjoyed the different atmosphere associated with each of these haiku. This always creates an interesting dynamic between matched pair haiku. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019

This one is funny and sad. For starters, I feel like Easter dinner should be a time of positivity and everyone should be happy to see their families rather than insulting them. Also, if this is the third year you’re telling them this, I feel like you should just drop it. Benjamin Woodcock, Spring 2019

I like this haiku for the Easter ones the best because I can relate to it in some fashion. I get a lot of piercings rather than tattoos and usually when I come home after getting one somehow my younger neighbor always knows when I get one and asks about it telling my parents I got a new one before I have a chance too. Daryann Birt, Spring 2019

I like this haiku because I can see the image of the grandma giving the person a hard time about the tattoo. Most grandparents grew up in a time where tattoo we’re not normal to have. I also can picture the little cousin smiling, showing their innocence. Rene Sanchez, Spring 2019

loose change,
shaking an Easter egg
like a rattle

Jakob Cihak

shotgun start
everyone scatters
in search of the golden egg

Mason Bruce

feeling so full
I could burst
. . . but there's strawberry shortcake

Amanda Bivens

stomach full of food
relaxing on the sofa
grandpa half asleep

Mason Bruce

downtown sunday
a boy in a suit
runs in the rain

Grace Ruddell

the homeless man
watches the family
shop for Easter

Evan Chastain

sunday church
the one day
I cannot sleep in

Rene Sanchez

church at 7:30
yawning
my grandparents smile

Julia Peterson

I love this haiku because of the isolation and greed that is insinuated in it. The homeless man is looking on a family being happy and enjoying their Easter. Nothing wrong with that, but I can imagine the homeless man sees them and longs for his family at the same time. I can also imagine him being confused why the family needs to be shopping for Easter gifts. Maybe next year he will be able to afford it. Connor Mendenhall, Spring 2019

This haiku stuck out to me because of the sad image it brings to the readers. When I read this, I imagined a homeless man admiring the family doing simple things like shop for Easter. In his eyes he looks at the family and has regret in his life for never starting his own family. It may be a wakeup call for him. Rene Sanchez, Spring 2019

This haiku was deeply troubling and very powerful to me. The first line contains the image of "the homeless man", and for some reason the use of the word "the" instead of "a homeless man" or "some homeless man" helps to make this man more specific. Perhaps the onlooker recognizes this particular homeless man from being in a particular spot frequently. In the second line when we see that he "watches the family", I can see him looking intently at a happy, close-knit family all walking together on an otherwise empty street. When we see that the family is "shopping for Easter" in the final line, it's just a final reminder of everything that this homeless man has lost. It's disheartening to think that he must constantly be observing the things he's unable to have, and despite the pain of being in poverty, he has to suffer through it without the support of a family. I as the reader can only imagine what's going through his mind; perhaps he's thinking about growing up with his own family, perhaps he remembers shopping for Easter supplies, or perhaps he's never had that in his life and just looks at this family with a sense of longing. Ariya Hawkins, Spring 2019

hop hop
hoppy easter — hop hop
to the coffee pot

Breana Bagley

chocolate bunny
hollow
like me

Julia Peterson

family dinner
guilt trip . . .
because i am busy with school

Amanda Bivens

5 final projects
and 3 final papers . . .
Easter “break”

Jakob Cihak

I really like this haiku because I think it is really cute. People associate bunnies with Easter and the hopping that they do. I love this haiku because it gives me an image of a cute little bunny hopping through the grass. I like this haiku because while the haiku talks about hopping, it never comes out and says there is a bunny. This haiku relates a person who was up very early on Easter morning to a bunny because they are hopping to the coffee pot. People are normally up early for sunrise service on Easter so people tend to need coffee. Overall I think this is a really cute haiku and it just makes people happy because it relates to cute little bunnies. Emily Reeves, Spring 2019

This haiku was interesting due to the dark twist it applied to a happy holiday. It starts out with a symbolic piece to Easter, the chocolate bunny. I like the sudden change of tone and atmosphere it has as well. It starts out with fun memories, then sharply turns to thinking of a lonely Easter celebration. I imagined a man sitting by himself eating Easter Candy. As he eats the bunny, he looked down and saw himself resembled by the hollowness of the bunny. It was a very sad haiku and it made me feel for those who don’t celebrate the holiday with anyone. Evan Chastain, Spring 2019

This haiku is sad but funny at the same time. The feeling is relatable, for me. It is a one of a kind feeling, trying to hide sadness at a family function. I cannot recall a certain time I’ve experienced this, but the state of mind is familiar. For some reason, I can feel the crack of the hollow bunny as I bite into it. Whitley Sapp, Spring 2019

I like this haiku because of the reality behind it. I also spent much of my break working on piled on assignments instead of being able to spend the time with my family and loved ones. Our Easter break was not much of a break at all, but there never really is any rest for the weary, is there? It will all be worth it in the end . . . maybe . . . Amanda Bivens, Spring 2019

I found a liking to this haiku because of the struggles that every college student goes through. You think that the “break” is a time to relax and to take some stress off your shoulders. The professors believe that it is a time to catch up on all your class work. It’s a delicate balance and the break really is just a break from class to work harder within that class. The flow of this haiku is very free, the numbers and the quotation marks make it visually appealing. Mason Bruce, Spring 2019

her little one asks
what butterflies
smell like

Ariya Hawkins

dandelions . . .
not a weed
to every one

Amanda Bivens

children laughing in the background
little white socks
folded on the floor

Breana Bagley

faded handprint
on the car window
high five

Kevin Miller

I enjoyed this haiku because of the innocence it possesses. The images associated with this haiku are also very sweet. I see a young child asking their mother what butterflies smells like. Butterflies are often seen near or on flowers. I imagine that the child takes this knowledge/ observation and wonders if they smell as good as the flowers they are often by. There is also a funny image produced by this haiku. This is of someone smelling a butterfly. Simply comical. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019

I picked this haiku, because of the meaning behind it that I obtained from reading it a couple of times. Some people might see a dandelions and think oh just another plant in the way of my farm or house. But to other people dandelions might have a special meaning to their life. It could be the flower they received on their first date or their favorite flower. I believe there is a deeper meaning to this haiku. Rene Sanchez, Spring 2019

This haiku feels like a normal day at home. I like the addition of children laughing, because it lightens the atmosphere. Without the laughing children, this would seem like a burdensome chore haiku. Little is also a good inclusion, as it makes the laundry cuter. Whitley Sapp, Spring 2019

This one I liked, because I thought it was headed in a negative way, but it lightened things up with the last line. Julia Peterson, Spring 2019

new restaurant
she spills her secrets
on the dinner table

Grace Ruddell

he runs his fingers
over his own hand,
love may come one day

Ariya Hawkins

one mile high
heart racing as you
jump from the plane

Emily Reeves

bean bags flying
straight into the hole
another win

Rene Sanchez

I like the way they made the secrets replicate the motion of a drinking spilling over the table. The symbolic way of someone spill themselves to another was a great way to show the feelings behind it too. She was putting it all out there for the other to see and judge. I imagined a woman, who really wants a date to become something more, just saying everything about her. She spills all the secrets as a sign of she has nothing to hide and wants love for everything bout her and not just some things. I like to imagine the man replied with all his secrets, making the whole situation a love filled scene. Evan Chastain, Spring 2019

This was such a risky haiku and we haven't seen that yet. Julia Peterson, Spring 2019

This haiku created an image of summer afternoon for me. The act of playing bags brings a feeling of playful competitiveness. The scene set by this haiku is one of excitement. The players involved in the haiku appear to be on some sort of winning streak and the last three points were just secured with the last bag. Overall, this haiku reminds me of good times with good people. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019

baby pink and pastel yellow
polka . . .
dots the baby bump

Breana Bagley

lemon squares
and sun tea
a white lace tablecloth

Whitley Sapp

blue balloon
begins to blend
with the ever-widening sky

Ariya Hawkins

clouds shifting in the sky
easy gazing
in blue and grey

Grace Ruddell

I love the fact that this haiku taps into so many senses. For starters, it allows the reader to see a wide range of colors, from the bright yellow of "lemon squares" to the pure white of the "white lace tablecloth". I can imagine the powdered sugar dusted on top of the lemon squares adding a pretty layer of white that ties the lemon squares and the tablecloth together. I find the second line especially rich with colors, because the image of "sun tea" brings in a sort of translucent amber, yet the image of the "sun" in sun tea brings my mind back to a sunny yellow color. This haiku also allows the reader to experience tastes and smells, with the tart sweetness of lemon squares, and the cool, refreshing earthy taste of sun tea. This haiku just allows me to be fully present in the environment, and I can imagine these images as part of a summer outdoor tea party. Ariya Hawkins, Spring 2019

I like the sense of wonder in this haiku. Balloons always make me think of being a child again, and it also makes me reflect about how much my own children love balloons. When I read this haiku, I wonder if the balloon was deliberately let go, or if it was an accident. If it was deliberate, was there perhaps a note attached to send to a loved one in heaven? I like how the blue balloon blends in with the blue sky. It's a nice way to focus on colors, and I also picture the glare of the sun, too. Amanda Bivens, Spring 2019

THE ALLITERATION. This is one of the first haiku from our class that I can remember just being brilliant with word choice. I love the image that this haiku gives me. Blues from the balloon and the sky. This color is almost inviting us in to the world of the haiku. Then as the balloon begins to blend with the sky, our minds start blending from our world into the haiku’s world. Connor Mendenhall, Spring 2019

I thought this was a really neat haiku. I imagine someone laying on a blanket out in a field of grass and is looking towards the sky. They see a blue balloon floating through the sky and they focus on it. They focus on that balloon until they can no longer see it because it is so far away and it blends in with the sky around it. I like this because it also is calming. The balloon is representing the problems in life that we face, and we are watching them slowly disappear. I like this haiku because it gives a sense of relief as well. I thought this was a really nice haiku and it gives you that feeling of being caught up in the moment and in that moment nothing else matters. Emily Reeves, Spring 2019

I was drawn to this haiku because of the movement and the distance that it presents. We have all had a balloon slip though our fingers and fly high up into the sky until it is out of sight. I like how Ariya uses a blue balloon to give context as it relates to the sky. Also the use of ever-widening sky as an adjective gives great depth to her message. Mason Bruce, Spring 2019

I really liked the visual aspect of this haiku, and thought it only lost due to a really tough matchup. Now that spring I upon us, I’ really getting into the mood to write some warm weather haiku. This one feels like spring, laying in a field watching the clouds go by. I love how it’s worded, gazing in blue and grey. Benjamin Woodcock, Spring 2019

disabling nerves
while standing backstage
I fart

Connor Mendenhall

throwing away—
a calendar
full of old to-dos

Whitley Sapp

finally home
wet dog noses
pressed against my face

Grace Ruddell

beyond the construction
our beach
sand volleyball

Benjamin Woodcock

I like this haiku from Karumi because I can again relate to it as I could for the Easter haiku. I always write down to-do lists to try to be organized but most of the time I have many different lists written at one time so I will follow one but not the other ones and at the end of the year when I go to clean and get ready for the next year I always find old lists I have written. Daryann Birt, Spring 2019

Using myself as an example; being able to cross objectives off your list is a very satisfying feeling. In relation to that, throwing old calendars away gives you a sense of growth and maturity as you have accomplished your tasks and goals for the year. This haiku evokes emotions related to past occurrences but doesn’t lead you towards a particular memory. It’s to give you reassurance that you are moving in a positive direction in your short term life. Mason Bruce, Spring 2019

bad hair day
the wind
steals my hat

Whitley Sapp

the gust of wind
my hat
right off my head

Emily Reeves

alarm clock
a woodpecker tap-tap-tap
just outside the window

Whitley Sapp

midmorning opera
the birds perform
as I sip my coffee

Ariya Hawkins

I can relate to this haiku as well I think it is why I went along with all of these haiku today. Because I have such long hair and I like to have my windows down rather than my a/c going and my hair gets tangled or in my face very easily without my hat. Then there are the days that the wind catches my hat just right and it goes flying into the backseat. Daryann Birt, Spring 2019

I like this haiku due to the vocabulary used within it. The word “steals” is a great way to add personification to the wind. I like the way the haiku makes you feel the wind snatch the hat from their head. I like to imagine a woman walking around in a big city with wind gusts that are blowing around and she is having trouble keeping her hair out of her eyes. She keeps moving her hair out of the way, then suddenly the wind catches the underneath part of the brim. It gets yanked off her head, as she turns to start chasing it. I like this haiku and the vocabulary really adds another element to it. Evan Chastain, Spring 2019

I enjoyed how quickly this haiku was able to switch the image in my head. Opera has such a fancy feel to it, so at first I imagined a couple on their way to an opera all dressed up and such, just to realize it was about birds chirping. Still a really nice image, just different. I imagine an opera being in the city, so it felt rushed at first, but as the reader realizes she I referring the birds, they also get a sense of relaxation with the third line. Benjamin Woodcock, Spring 2019

This haiku does a great job of introducing sound to the haiku. Comparing a bird’s chirping in the morning to an opera is a lovely image. Maybe the birds sound heavenly as opposed to annoying on this morning. This can be implied as the person listening is drinking their coffee. This shows that they are relaxed and comfortable with the situation. They are enjoying their midmorning opera. Connor Mendenhall, Spring 2019

I like this haiku because it creates such a beautiful image to me. I imagine sitting in my living room looking out the windows. The sun is shining through the windows and it is a beautiful morning outside. The birds are chirping and it is warm with a gently breeze. I sit there enjoying the morning as I drink some orange juice because I do not like coffee. I love the peace that is felt from this haiku. There is nothing going on, it is just a quiet and peaceful morning. It is a relaxing morning where you can just sit and enjoy the birds chirping. I just like this haiku because of where it takes me and the feelings I get from it. Emily Reeves, Spring 2019

I love morning coffee haiku. This poem takes me to my happy place. Every morning during the Summer I sit on my deck and enjoy my coffee before leaving to work.  I can feel the heat form the morning sun, cutting through the cool damp air. I can hear the morning bird songs overlapping each other like harmonies. Whitley Sapp, Spring 2019

sunshine
brother's dog
lays down beside me

Whitley Sapp

peaceful day
of watching the snow
fall . . . from the couch

Daryann Birt

quiet!
my roommate
drops a pot

Julia Peterson

pictures on the wall
remind me of
old friends

Emily Reeves

cigarettes:
mom crying into
the telephone

Whitley Sapp

midnight phone call
the same
train horn

Whitley Sapp

nightly routine
not the same without you . .
my toothbrush

Mikaela Vuglar

cool breeze
through the open window
Thursday

Daryann Birt

This haiku interests me for several reasons. First of all, the images of "cigarettes" and a "mom" feel like they naturally conflict with one another (at least in our current anti-tobacco/anti-cigarette world) so I think that using both of these words with one directly after the other makes this haiku unique. Since these images don't immediately connect in my mind, and the full word "telephone" isn't frequently used in conversation anymore, I'm imagining that this is set in a different time which perhaps allows for a more retro/old-school interpretation of this haiku. With this in mind, I imagine this mom wearing a used mink coat, lit cigarette between her fingers, crying to her adult son over the telephone about a tragic problem she's dealing with. The cigarette in conjunction with the fact that she's a mom leads me to believe that she is tough and perhaps even a little rough around the edges. The words used to make up this haiku place the reader in a very specific environment. Ariya Hawkins, Spring 2019

I liked this one, because It was just nice and simple and I love having my window open on a nice day. Julia Peterson, Spring 2019

streaming
our favorite Netflix show
alone

Connor Mendenhall

celebrating the holiday . . .
whiskey
to keep me company

Mikaela Vuglar

after she left
I now notice
the sound of a watch ticking

Benjamin Woodcock

cuffing season is upon us;
I'm happily engaged to
me, myself, and I

Ariya Hawkins