Haiku Kukai 6 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Spring 2017
forgiving someone was why she was able to g Yunek Moore (4) |
blue Caitlyn Latshaw (7) the whole family traveled to see this |
walking on the beach Olivia Gonzalez I found this one to be very relatable because this past spring break was my first vacation without my family and first vacation in a long time without my boyfriend. While the beach is a fun place to go and is very relaxing, it wasn't all that it could have been because I wasn't with the ones I love. Walking on the beach with a few friends is a completely different feeling than what I get walking on the beach with my boyfriend and family. Caitlyn |
I toss my line Nick Retherford (3) I like the nostalgia I get from reading this. I can picture a summer day when I was in highs chool with my grandfather fishing at our local lake. We never caught anything big, but it was still a lot of fun. The pond we fished at had no movement except for the line bobbing up and down in the water. Nicholas K |
the moon illuminates |
the gentle crashing Nick Retherford (5) |
a thunderous roar Nick Retherford (3) I like this haiku because of how I really feel like I can hear it. Then, the haiku brings up the thought of a storm and I think how I might feel if I expected a storm, scared. But, then the mood of the haiku is lighter as it mentions that the sound could have merely been a Harley. I also feel that this could be taken metaphorically when speaking of something you were afraid if for no reason. I also like the questioning tone of it. Paige |
beer on the beach |
finally get up Olivia Gonzalez (3) |
hold on |
emptied my pockets |
we follow Jordan Oelze (8) |
sunset |
winding roads Brittany Walsh (5) |
rounding the curve |
nasty words said Caitlyn Latshaw (3) |
snowy mountains Brittany Walsh (4) |
an empty marina |
husband and wife |
dinner conversation |
circling on a bike |
a missed phone call |
first plane ride |
i think Andrea Burns (9) This was another one of my favorites from this week's kukais. It was funny, and relatable. A “whatshisname” can be any boy in anyone's life. A boy that sits next to you in class, one that is always talking to you and you don't know his name, or it can be what you call someone when you're trying to remember their name but can't. I even like how there was no space between the name, because when people say it they don't take a breath, and most times its even said fast. This is what made it funny. Dub |
topless jeep |
angry driver Andrea Burns (7) |
blowing through |
scrolling through instagram Jacob Melssen (4) I picked this haiku as one of my other favorite from kukai 6. I liked this one because it is so relatable. I get on Instagram every day, multiple times a day. The amount of pictures I see from old friends or relationships I no longer talk to is incredible. It is weird how I can still follow that person's life without even talking to them through a silly picture app. This is crazy to think about. This haiku also gives me a good image of a student walking through the hallways checking their Instagram. Chase |
long day Jacob Melssen (7) |
girls night out Paige Dorsel (3) This was one of my favorites because I love to travel on the weekends, no matter how much work that I have to do during the week. I especially love to go to Chicago for my girls night out. This also makes me think of one time in particular, where I went out on a Thursday for my Line Sisters birthday and that Friday I had a test that I did not study for and took hung over, even though this is not one of my proudest moments, it's the first thing I thought of when reading this haiku. Dub |
he holds |
one kiss Paige Dorsel (6) I really liked this haiku because of the multiple meanings you could get from it. When I first read it, it sounded like two people who were in a relationship in the past and just recently kissed. Just because they kissed doesn't mean it changes the fact that they're broken up. However, I liked everyone else's interpretations in class. Reading it in a different tone can completely change the meaning, which is really cool. Emily |
a wooden lift Jordan Oelze
|
looking behind her |
squeezing tight |
waves crash on the shore |
he hugs his son Jordan Oelze (4) |
a burst of cold air |
Spring break Yunek Moore (10) I liked this haiku because it was extremely relatable and funny. I went to Florida for spring break with some friends and it was so chilly! We still went outside in shorts and our swim suits, but it was so windy and cold. Even worse, on Monday in Decatur, it was warm and sunny! Way nicer than Florida's weather was. I liked the punctuation of the last line; it's playful and reminds me of someone gritting their teeth because they're annoyed. Emily I liked this one because even though I did not do much during my spring break it snowed on Monday. I liked the last line and how their were punctuations for every word and it made it more dramatic and real which I liked.This haiku was appropriate for this past spring break and relatable as well. Olivia |
took the day off |
how come |
holding her breath |
one leg stands |
checking into a Kate Gebultowicz (6) |
the girl cooks Kate Gebultowicz (8) |
open field Kala Keller (7) |
the reflection within Kate Gebultowicz I picture a couple standing at the water that just broke up. She is looking at him like he is a different person. His reflection showing only in the water as he breaks the news to her. Nicholas K |
waking up to the |
dewy grass Kala Keller (6) This haiku is extremely complex to me and puzzles me. I am extremely fond of this haiku, even though it confuses me a little. I appreciate the structure and the way it flows very much so. However, I am puzzled by the message. I am trying to put myself in that specific setting, sitting in the dewy grass looking up at the moon. I want to know what message is received because I can't think of any. Despite how much this puzzles me, I love this haiku. Brittany |
barbecue smoke Kala Keller (8) You always want haikus to go the most peaceful ways and this haiku may just be a father kissing another daughter or son on the cheek but unfortunately in this case I believe it is another women and this persons parents are in a divorce. Even though this may seem like a more sad haiku, I like the way it comes together and even thought it may be a tough situation it is still a beautiful day to barbecue. Kyle M |
in your arms |
an entire city Yunek Moore (3) |
our last goodbye |
crossing the state line |
atop the mountain |
turning with care Kyle Kite (5) Caring for another person doesn't always mean that they see everything you do for them. It's not always buying presents or posting about your significant other on social media. Sometimes it's just holding your significant other while they're crying. Or inviting them over to make popcorn and watch a movie. Sometimes it's giving them another blanket while they're asleep on the couch; you don't realize they're doing it until after you wake up with another blanket on yourself. Sometimes it's learning the other's coffee order. Sometimes, it's turning the car with care as to not wake her slumber in the passenger seat. Amanda |
pine sap |
white pines stretching Nicholas Kemp (2) |
more creamer |
chicken sizzling Olivia Gonzalez (2) |
antique collecting |
haiku class winner |
man on the moon Nick Retherford (6) This haiku stands out to me because of its simplicity and its ability to be interpreted several ways. The haiku its isn't necessarily about deep thinking or profound revelation, yet it is able to get its point across. It also can be taken to mean several different things. The first is that the poem is reassuring. The second is eerie, as we do not know who the man is. The third is wonderment, because we don't know if there is life out there. Nick R |
the song on the radio Nick Retherford (8) This haiku makes me reminisce. I think we all have those songs that when we hear them, they instantly bring us back to a memory or a specific time or place. This haiku could also mean that the song is talking about simpler times as well, which also is valid. Lots of country and classic rock songs are like this. Nick R I really like this haiku because its very relatable. I often put memories together with certain songs. Either the song describes a memory of mine or I have a memory in which the song was playing in the background. I have an emotional attachment to a lot of songs, some very happy and some saddening. There are a few songs such as ones that remind me of past relationships or those played at funerals that I do not like hearing. This haiku seems to be reminiscing about a relationship. Paige |
whispers drift Nick Retherford (3) |
you promised to come back Olivia Gonzalez (2) |
counting freckles |
little fingers Olivia Gonzalez (12) After reading this haiku I could only laugh and sometimes that's what a person needs. I like how different this haiku is because it goes from being innocent to annoying. It puts the reader in the shoes of the author and hits the reader with sass when reading it. The last fragment closes the haiku nicely since it shows a child going for someone's fries three times. After a few times the person becomes annoyed and that is shown within this last fragment. The other two fragments are very innocent and cute while the last fragment transitions into a different mood. Therefore, the haiku has a few emotions associated with it. Kate I laughed at this one because it's so typical of a kid to steal something so insignificant like a fry. Kids seem to have no boundaries when it comes to stuff like this, but they don't really know better. Especially if the kid is stubborn and you ask them if they want to order food, they'll say no but then steal your food. And it's like, hey I thought you said you didn't want any food?! I also like the structure of this one because of the pause at the beginning of the third line. It's like UGH this kid keeps stealing my fries! Jake |
one bedroom or two? |
pondering life Paige Dorsel (6) This haiku is very deep and complex, despite the simple structure. I like how the setting is in the middle of the haiku because it levels out the tone in a way. The first two lines together are very simple, the narrator is pondering life on a boat. With the scenic views and sound of water, it is easy to begin to ask questions about life. Surrounded by nature, I oftentimes ask myself questions about where I am going to myself. The last line indicates that the narrator has gotten lost in his or her thoughts because the paddle has dropped. He or she has forgotten to hold on to the paddle because they have become so entranced. I have found myself in situations like this and it's nice to see a haiku that reflects those times. Brittany I picked this haiku as my favorite and double vote from kukai 6. I liked this one because it starts off so serious. At first this haiku makes you think about your life. The second line gets me a perfect image of a boat and the peaceful water as she thinks. You almost go into a daydream but all the sudden the paddle falls and you snap back to reality. This is also comical to me just how it can go from being so peaceful to dropping the battle. Chase |
eyes getting heavy Kyle Kite (5) |
holding whom
|
I know when |
i step through the portal |
freezing on the Paige Dorsel (7) |
jamming to Paige Dorsel (5) I thought this was quite humorous. I liked how there were only one or two words for each line which was simple, but the haiku was a classic. I imagined my father and I jamming to 80s or 90s hip hop when I was younger, and going to soccer practice or tournaments. My father really gets into it and it is quite amusing to watch. I love 90s hip hop as well because not only are the songs fun to dance to but it just reminds me of my father. I would not say my dad is an “oldie” like grandfather's age but “middle oldie”. |
sitting at the high stools Emily Chudzik (4) I liked this haiku it was very calming and seemed so right. Sitting at the high stools made it seem that this family or couple is sitting somewhere they usually don't sit so it made it special. I love how they continued that with dinner love, over easy is just flowed so right and it all came together so perfectly. Kyle M I have a strong attraction to writing that calls attention to nostalgia and aesthetically pleasing things. Diners are such weirdly specific places that have strong memories of a time that doesn't exist anymore, but no matter when the diner was made or how long it's been around those feelings are still there and they're just a great place for people to connect. This haiku captures all those feelings and all those memories and I just really liked reading it. Sam |
sinking to the bottom Emily Chudzik (2) I really liked this haiku because it gave a very visual image. I imagine the scene from inside of the pool at the bottom. I can see the cup fall into the pool and start to sink. There is a party outside of the pool that is very loud with tons of people and colors. Then the red solo cup falls into the water and it becomes quiet as it slowly sinks to the bottom. Caitlyn |
not a day goes by Emily Chudzik (4) |
an unopened Busch Light Emily Chudzik (6) |
in the middle of Emily Chudzik (5) I enjoyed this haiku simply because it catches the reader off guard just as it does the woman. It's in the middle of her chopping the tomatoes, which means he didn't wait until the end to tell her. And you usually don't chop tomatoes, you slice them. Does the woman know he's going to leave and is angry? Is this a surprise to her? Amanda |
rocks poke Paige Dorsel (6) |
guy at the bar Paige Dorsel (4) This one made me laugh as well because it's kind of something I would do. I would either A) lie to someone who is trying to talk to me and say that I'm there with my mom, just so they'd leave me alone or B) actually go out to a bar with my mom and not even be ashamed of it. I think that the double meaning of this poem is what I like best about it. Jake |
presenting the flag |
little house |
small feet |
her hand |
we marked our time |
he slicked back his hair |
bath water now cold |
staring in the mirror |
he drops her mail |
blink of an eye Chase Smith (2) |
knocking at the door Chase Smith (3) |
the snow flurries |
black leather and Emily Chudzik I've never been to Daytona. I never even knew there was such thing as a Bike Week in Daytona. When I grew up I was always around motorcycles because my family is a biker family. I know the smell of black leather and gasoline, I know the feeling of the engine rumbling and the sound of that thunderous roar and I read this haiku and remembered all of it. This haiku makes me think of my family and all that stuff that I haven't experienced in years. Sam |
dancing with a Emily Chudzik (5) In this haiku, I can imagine a distinct overcrowded bar that has people stepping all over each other. I imagine a very popular bar to that has a promotion going on or the fact that it's spring break. I find it ironic that the author uses the word Buffalo because this animal is enormous. To place a buffalo in an overcrowded place makes the scene even more uncomfortable, which is why I like this haiku. The buffalo becomes a human equivalent in size that is dancing with a person. They both might feel awkward because there is no room or just because the guy is the size of a buffalo. I liked the words used in this haiku that made it funny and interesting. Kate |
“Lifeguards Only” Emily Chudzik (5) |
© 2017, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.