Haiku Kukai 07 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Spring 2020
Childhood |
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car ride home |
aunt’s house |
washing dishes Dalton Glasco (12) This haiku made me think back on the times when my brother and I would wait last minute to do our chores. My mom would always tell us before she went to work to finish up our chores. I would always just sit there and watch tv or read a book, and before I knew it she was on her way home. My brother and I would always scramble at the last minute to wash the dishes and start our laundry. It was funny because my mom always knew that we had done nothing all day, and we had started our chores last minute. She would get pretty upset with us sometimes, but she got over it pretty quick. Now my brother and I are experts at doing our chores, and not waiting last minute to get them done. Erika Castanon, Spring 2020 I like this one because I think we have all been there. My mom would always tell me to do the dishes if I was home that day on her way out of the house for work and I would always put it off or forget about it. Then I would realize that she was about to be home so I had to hurry up and make it look like I was almost done with them. Ashley Christensen, Spring 2020 This haiku makes me laugh. As we got old enough my parents would let my brother and I stay home alone in the summers. Every morning there would be a sticky note for both my brother and I with a list of chores for the day. Some days the list was longer than others, but some days it was a simple task of taking out the trash or taking care of the dishes. It never failed that we would wait until the last minute to get the dishes done and pretend we had them done all day long. Hannah Watts, Spring 2020 I loved haiku because it stills applies to my life today. In high school, I would sometimes beat my mom home from work, and I would have to rush to the kitchen and wash the dishes before she came in. Sometimes, she would leave work early and she would beat me to it. So, I would hear her pull into the garage, and I would get up really quick and begin washing them. Now that COVID-19, she wants them washed before I go to bed and majority of the time, I forget, and I wake up earlier to do them before she wakes up. Jada Miller, Spring 2020 |
despising mom’s dinner |
ripples of the creek |
keys jingling Taylor Parola (9) I really enjoyed how they portrayed this haiku because it showed the idea of the kids getting scared because they forgot to the dishes all day. They finally realize the moment before their parent or parents get inside and start doing them. Even though they know they are still in trouble for not doing them beforehand they act like it was a surprise to see their parent home. Its playful and a scary but fun memory in my head. Dalton Glasco, Spring 2020 |
stained glass |
meeting for the first time Taylor Parola (9) I really enjoyed this haiku, and it made me giggle after reading it. I actually just had this happen to me not too long ago. I brought my new boyfriend home from school one weekend, and my mom of course had to embarrass me. After we had eaten dinner she felt like it was time to bring out all the scrap books. I was so embarrassed because she was showing him baby pictures and middle school pictures. I tried to get her to stop multiple times, but she loves to embarrass me with all the awkward photos she has of me. I think everybody's parents love to embarrass them whether it’s to your friends or your significant other! Erika Castanon, Spring 2020 |
the swing set Shania Dvorak This haiku brings back memories from my childhood. I would always be outside with my brother and neighborhood friends playing on our play set. My parents would have to yell at us to finally come inside, and eat dinner. The play set was one of the best presents my brother and I received. I have a lot of memories from that play set, but I have one very clear memory. I was on top of the play set, and my brother wasn't paying attention and accidentally pushed me off of it. I just remember my parents freaking out because I had a cut on my forehead. I will never forget that time in my life! Erika Castanon, Spring 2020 |
mom’s bedroom Kevin Escobar (8) |
mary jane’s dragging |
she pulls on Grace Newton (7) This was a wonderful haiku! I loved that I could picture a small girl, running to the cubbie with her name on it by the front door, slipping on her velcro light-up shoes, and turning to her parent with an excited but dumbfounded smile saying “well, duh im going outside! It’s raining!”. It brought out the child in myself and made me excited to play in the rain. Niki Curatti, Spring 2020 I think this Haiku i really cute. it makes me think of my little nieces and how they love to play outside and be together. Their mom is awesome at making any kind of activity for them and always makes a new adventure for them no matter what is going on in their life. Paige Boomer, Spring 2020 |
hopscotch |
crisp fall day Ashley Christensen (7) Every year, my family goes on a “fall drive” where we go to a new park and admire the leaves changing. This typically ends in us going to a corn maze and pumpkin patch together as well. I enjoy the terminology in this haiku. I think “crisp” is the perfect term to describe the autumn season. The terms “pack” and “pick” were also playful in this poem. Jared Chapman, Spring 2020 |
drops of ice cream Ashley Christensen (7) I like this haiku because it evokes memories of my childhood. When I was younger, I remember going though a drive through with my mother and me asking for an ice cream cone. She would say okay and give me an ice cream cone flipped upside down in a cup, which I thought defeated the whole purpose of having an ice cream cone. I remember finally talking my mother into finally letting me eat the ice cream cone with out the cup, and within the first minute of this endeavor, I had dripped ice cream right on to my pants, hands and seat. I can relate to every aspect of this haiku, and I think it is pretty humorous situation anyone can relate to. Michael Santos, Spring 2020 |
stars in the dark |
he keeps me out Erika Castanon In high school I never really had a curfew, but my friends did and I would always be hanging out with them at the local park late. This haiku reminds me of a time a couple of us were hanging out and it was like 1:30 am. We did not realize the time it had gotten to, but one of my friends dad had realized how late it was and went searching for their kid. He found us all at the park and we got the cops called and I had to rush everyone home because I was the only one that drove that night. Good times. Dalton Glasco, Spring 2020 I liked this haiku because it made me think of the fun that you have with a young love or a first love. My first love was nothing like this but I always heard so many stories of people sneaking out to go hang out with their boyfriends and then getting caught by their parents and getting grounded. I was never grounded. Paige Boomer, Spring 2020 |
I jump Erika Castanon (5) |
foggy morning |
12:01 |
waves crash |
sunrise, |
the refrigerator Pat-rice Rooney (10) |
streetlights |
two girls Pat-rice Rooney (9) I really loved this haiku. It was truly genius. The first two lines are significant on their own, but then you add the third and it brings the haiku to a whole new level. Friendship bracelets are often made by tying knots over and over again until you make a finished product, and although it’s a very simple process, it’s taken quite seriously. Almost like “tying the knot”. When a couple ties the knot, it’s binding. This is to say that these girls are making a binding pact with these friendship bracelets. The play on words here is wonderful and introduces fun conversation. I like it a lot! Niki Curatti, Spring 2020 Almost everyone can relate to this haiku. Growing up I can think of one friend who always was around. We used to make friendship bracelets and necklaces all the time. I had a lot of them. As a child I didn’t see the value and that is why we made so many when we only needed one. Those bracelets represent how close were as friends. Even though I don’t talk to her a lot anymore, I will always cherish those memories. Taylor Parola, Spring 2020 |
July Olivia Tharpe (7) |
3 steps |
a spring breeze Paige Boomer I really like this haiku because I felt it from both a physical side and emotional. You feel the lightness of forgiveness and how it can be freeing. I just thought of the times I would get in a fight with my brother; the anger became pointless and too hard to keep. All the emotion of hate caused me to just forgive. Spring is the season of rebirth and anew for nature but also within this haiku. Hailey Wimberly, Spring 2020 |
every other finger |
tears stream down Paige Boomer (8) I mean this haiku is my life. As a performer I push through physical pain, emotional pain, and mental pain every day. Failure is inevitable, and so is hearing "your not good enough." However, I like to think I have a more positive attitude than most, and I can take the hard criticism. This haiku reminded me of constantly practicing a dance over and over and over again until it was perfect. People don't hire you if you're average. Hope Klessig, Spring 2020 I talked about this a little bit on our live zoom kukai, but this is the most relatable haiku ever for me right now. I’m in a tap class that has hours worth of informational content online that I have to repeat and recreate at home, and I had a moment last week where I totally just broke down because I couldn’t get the exercises right because I wasn’t teaching myself correctly and I had no idea what to do. Trying over and over again is pretty much the theme of this pandemic. Grace Newton, Spring 2020 |
no. Niki Curatti (11) I like this haiku because it reminds me of my family. Growing up my grandma has always had a dog in her house. Unfortunately, because my mom is allergic our household has never had pets. Since we were little my brother and I have always begged my mom and dad to get a pet. The answer is always a no, except for we have had a couple fish. So this haiku just reminds me of all the times we have begged to get a puppy and my dad remains strong with his answer of “no we cannot get a dog”. Hannah Watts, Spring 2020 This Haiku just makes me laugh because I have asked for a dog so many times and my parents always say no. Paige Boomer, Spring 2020 This haiku was one of my favorites because my mom and dad said multiple times that we were not allowed to have a dog as children. We would as all the time with the answer always being no. That did not stop us from asking though. Once I got to high school, we were finally able to get a dog. In some ways this haiku made me look back in time and laugh. Taylor Parola, Spring 2020 In my lifetime, I can honestly say, I’ve had about 10 different dogs. However, before Duke, the dog I have now, I had a dog named Bentley. My mom didn’t really care for Bentley. Bentley was definitely a handful. He wasn’t completely house-broken, he growled at everyone, and he chewed on shoes. So, when we finally gave Duke away, my mom told me that was my last dog until I moved out of her house. In early 2019, I asked my mom could I get a dog for me 20th birthday and she told me she’d think about it. August of 2019, I went to the Humane Society of St. Louis and I came home with a tri-color Boxer and Husky mix and I named him Duke. Jada Miller, Spring 2020 |
rusty, old swing set Hope Klessig (9) |
he drinks beer Niki Curatti (6) |
bonfire reunited Hope Klessig (9) |
rewinding |
childhood memories Hope Klessig This haiku made my heart ache and also smile. This pulled at my heart because it caused me to reflect back on how I used to be. As children we are fearless because we haven’t been exposed to all of life yet. Some people grownup and lose it and some hold onto it. This haiku made me realize I lost some of my fearlessness. On the other side and happier, this haiku also made me think of the wild stuff I did as a kid. You know at certain age; you’re willing to do anything. Hailey Wimberly, Spring 2020 This haiku reminds me of my childhood. When I was a kid, I was not afraid of taking risk to do something risky or watching scary movies. This is totally different with my adulthood. I am fear of everything like my life, disease, future . . . everything! Pascaline Muhindagiga, Spring 2020 |
"nap time sucks" |
two tier cake Kevin Escobar (8) |
basement boxes |
the boat rocking back Hannah Watts I love this one because my favorite thing to do in the summer is take the boat out on the lake where we throw the anchor in and just relax by swimming off the boat and listening to music. I love the feeling of the boat slowly moving along with the waves that hit the boat and it’s a very calming and relaxing feeling. I like the comparison to a mothers arm. Ashley Christensen, Spring 2020 |
dark morning Jared Chapman (17) I enjoy this haiku because it brings me back to my elementary school days when I would ride the bus. I would always hate waiting in the rain to get on the bus. Once you were inside it was always humid and smelled of sweat and rain. It paints a vivid image of a memory I have not had to visit in a long time. Shania Dvorak, Spring 2020. This one reminded me of my childhood because I used to ride the bus to school every day - sometimes even in my high school years. I remember spring days, before daylights savings time, when I would wake up in the dark, walk down my very long drive way, crawl up the bus's steps, and slink into my seat. I hated the morning and it made it worse when everything on the bus was wet including the floors, the seat, and the windows. I remember if the bus turned a certain way, rain would poor in from the emergency exit on the roof of the bus. Hope Klessig, Spring 2020 |
the plastic wheels of a tricycle Niki Curatti (7) |
Pandemic |
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“welcome class of 2020” |
Illinois is on lock down Taylor Parola (6) Illinois is on lock down dressed to impress netflix Response: All three haiku have a different feeling when I read them. The first one is something that I definitely asked when the entire pandemic started. I always need my daily coffee, so not being able to get coffee with friends is hard. Especially since that was a daily routine. The second haiku goes a little deeper. We want to continue our lives, and celebrations, but we are trapped. We are trapped behind a window, and a distance apart. It is hard to continue a daily routine when you are basically stuck. The last haiku is pure boredom. Before all of this happened, we were busy people just wanting a break. It seemed like everything was on Netflix and Hulu when we were busy, but now that we are stuck at home there seems to be nothing. It is hard to handle these emotions that these haiku share, however it is refreshing to know that we are all in the same boat. Bre Johnson, Spring 2020 |
she sleeps all day |
shaking with fear |
my front camera turns on |
rain falls down |
spring cleaning |
phone rings |
strolling past Bre Johnson (10) |
pajamas on |
sitting on the phone |
laying in my bed Erika Castanon This haiku made me feel very relaxed. The language used and word choice gives you weightless and freeing vibes. You are able to just lay in bed and be lost in time and music is an amazing feeling. The ability to listen to your favorite music and just enjoy it. I really like the simplicity of this haiku and how it is relatable. Hailey Wimberly, Spring 2020 |
one pop- |
dressed to impress Niki Curatti (13) I picked this haiku as one of my favorites because of how humorous it is. The author plays with the expectation of the reader with the final line of the haiku after setting up a particular image with the first two lines. With the coronavirus making normal life very difficult to continue, we like to cope by trying to get the closest back to normal. In this case that involves going on a romantic date, which includes dressing up. But we must follow the rules of social distancing which means going through the drive through. I think this isa a clever haiku that shows off human adaptability. Michael Santos, Spring 2020 I enjoy how this haiku brings some humor and light to our current situation. I giggled when I read this one, because you realize that it is our current reality. I did not expect the last line to be what it was, so I was happily surprised. I had thought that the last like was going to be something about having a date-night in. I can imagine this happening and I like that I can still get a visual out of this, with it also being quite funny. Morgan Timmons, Spring 2020 |
a late night |
now the sun's up |
you ask me Grace Newton (10) This was a gorgeous haiku. I love that the haiku has this air of innocence and curiosity. It’s existential because the stars are being personified. Who is “you”? It must be someone special, for the author to take note of them. I picture the conversation that occured before this question is asked and wonder what led them to it. It prompts me to think about the art that the stars make as well. It’s such a sweet moment. Niki Curatti, Spring 2020 |
netflix Hannah Watts I am tired of watching movies on Netflix. When I turn on my tv. I feel like I have watched everything on Netflix before. However, I started watching news instead of Netflix. Pascaline Muhindagiga, Spring 2020 |
our freckles |
sheltered in place Hannah Watts (11) This haiku is just so funny, and I like that it personifies the microwave. I kind of just get this image of a microwave being tired (ridiculous but I see it!) This is a super relatable haiku as well. I’ve been stuck at home, microwaving leftovers and waiting for this to be over, while still being grateful for the fact I have a place to shelter period. Grace Newton, Spring 2020 |
returning home |
floating away |
windy and cold |
social isolation Pat-rice Rooney (9) |
summer heat |
2 T-shirts |
gyms closed |
home early Pat-rice Rooney As you know, Spring 2020 has come to an end pretty early. Since I’ve been home, my mom and stepdad expect me to wash their dishes every day and I feel that isn’t my job. Before I got home for the rest of the semester, who washed those dishes and why isn’t that person still washing them? We also have paper and plastic products, but they still want to use glass. So, I feel that If I use paper and plastic products to not have to wash dishes, they should follow suit or wash their own dishes. Jada Miller, Spring 2020 |
I scan your face Hailey Wimberly Whoa! I can't believe I missed this one in Kukai. It makes me think of a girl who met a guy at a bar and decided to go home with him. When she stays the night and wakes up, she realizes that maybe he wasn't as cute as she thought he looked in the dim bar light. Or maybe he is cold to her in the morning, and she realizes that he's not the person she thought he was. Hope Klessig, Spring 2020 |
pandemic poker Niki Curatti (7) |
opposite sides of the street |
no church Pascaline Muhindagiga (6) |
we walk |
away from home |
dead leaves |
protein shakes |
numbness controls me |
tennis courts |
birthday cake Taylor Parola (8) This haiku was sad, but I liked it because it is very relevant to what is going on around the world. Many people and families are having to cancel or reschedule big plans. One event that may not be huge in comparison to others is celebrating a birthday. I have always loved celebrating birthdays whether it’s my own or someone else’s. With the corona virus a lot of birthdays are not being celebrated like they should and with my birthday coming up at the beginning of May I am worried my birthday will be the same. Hannah Watts, Spring 2020 This year is a sad year for birthday parties. In this situation, we cannot enjoy our birthday with our friends because of social distancing. This is just sad to see how I will spend my birthday on doing homework. Pascaline Muhindagiga, Spring 2020 |
returning from winter break Hope Klessig (7) |
puddle on the floor I really like this poem because it makes me feel like I am watching the water drip from the ceiling. It also reminds me of the time I had to replace the plumbing pipe on my bathroom sink because the old one had cracked. It was not fun because I had to be directly under the pipe to unscrew it and when I broke it free all I could see was water dripping all over me. Dalton Glasco, Spring 2020 |
blank walls Bre Johnson (6) |
people raving |
they walk in the street Paige Boomer (4) |
celebrating my 21st |
arms folded |
my tires Niki Curatti (10) The author of this haiku was clever in the personification of the car tires. The brick roads give me a clear image of Main Street at Millikin, so I relate to this poem because I, too, wanted to stay for the rest of the semester. The question at the end also makes the entire poem seem more unsure, which is exactly what I am feeling in this situation. Jared Chapman, Spring 2020 I like this haiku because it resonates with my current situation, and probably every other Millikin student’s situation. What I got from this haiku, was that someone is driving on Millikin’s campus, getting ready to head home for the rest of the year, and the tires are clinging to the brick road that we call home, and not wanting to leave. Specifically, I thought of the brick road that I live on and I foresee myself having this exact feeling that the haiku gives when I have to move out. Morgan Timmons, Spring 2020 |
COVID-19 |
memories fade, |
in my mind |
a strong wind blows |
computer desktop |
still on the coffee table |
life |
f Morgan Timmons (5) |
looking out of the w i n d o w Grace Newton (7) |
Colors |
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steel grey |
her name was violet Shania Dvorak (9) |
the sun catches Shania Dvorak (10) |
iridescent colors |
sunshine Grace Newton (11) I really enjoyed this haiku because how creative the author was with this poem. Instead of just using the word yellow or another name for a color, they used the the specif color number. This haiku requires the readers participation to fully gather the image the author makes with the first two lines. Seeing the color and reading the haiku again personalizes the feeling described by "your touch." Michael Santos, Spring 2020 I really love this haiku because of the simplicity of it, but the complex thinking it brings. You can interpret this haiku in multiple different ways, so I like that a lot. When I read this haiku, it made me feel warm inside, and once I found the color it was referencing, I was able to really explore the haiku. When I read it, I thought of the sunshine, and a soft touch, which reminds me of this color, a pale, soft yellow. Morgan Timmons, Spring 2020 I thought this haiku was so creative. One of my favorite colors is yellow and I associate that color with my boyfriend. I always say he is, “sunshine” so to me this haiku was ironic. Sunshine and his touch are two things I associate strongly to one another. The last line was so clever, to add an actual paint number was something I had never considered. One of my favorite haiku, for sure! Shania Dvorak, Spring 2020 |
mist forms Jared Chapman (10) |
a new moon |
left foot yellow Dalton Glasco (7) |
swimming in a color Grace Newton (6) |
colors of the sun |
all of these |
crescent moon Jared Chapman I enjoy this haiku because I love the choice of words used to describe the sky at night. A crescent moon seems to stand out more to the eye and I think it places a good image of the moon in one’s head. I also like how the sky is described as this deep navy blue with an image of a shooting star that comes into my head. Ashley Christensen, Spring 2020 I love the way that the sky is described as navy blue in this haiku. I think the night sky is typically described as black, ie: black as night, and this navy blue is so much softer and frames the idea of a shooting star so much more poetically. The idea of a shooting star and a wish being in a navy sky is so much prettier and lighter, and has a really nice imagery to it. Grace Newton, Spring 2020 |
white caps |
on the white carpet behind her |
white wall Hope Klessig (9) |
chipped paint, Niki Curatti (8) This Haiku gives me a vivid image of a country home with yellow walls that need to be sanded down and repainted and the color underneath, for whatever reason, is navy blue. The people had lived there for years and never even thought about who lived there before them until they wanted to change the paint. Beneath the paint, there is truly another time that no one knows about. Jared Chapman, Spring 2020 When I was younger, I painted my room a bunch of times. At one point it was hot pink, then light pink, then ending with lavender. There was a fire that took away my home in high school and when it was rebuilt all the walls were this very bland grey color. I found a speck of lavender on my clothing from when I painted my room and although it is not the same exact reference, it still brought me back to when my room was all these other colors and the memories these times held. Shania Dvorak, Spring 2020 |
black and white pages |
her sweatshirt |
i slowly fade |
orange, purple, yellow |
different shades of red |
black shirt |
a splash of |
blue Pat-rice Rooney (8) |
© 2020, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.