Grandpa standing near
a poster of the Rat Pack.
cigarette smoke frame

at the red light
even the driver
plays air guitar

cold February night
New York City
changing clothes in the car

hours of cleaning
for my guests
someone compliments my eyes

Bethany Tabb (2)

I used to think it was ridiculous for my mom to go on one of her insane cleaning sprees before my grandparents came to visit. Now that I have my own house to clean, though, I am beginning to see the reasoning behind our nitpicky little tidyings. But really, I still contend that the cleanER is the person to whom such cleanliness really matters—I mean, nobody wants to visit a pigsty, but do the guests really care about a little clutter? This haiku points out the futility of such actions...it's never the clean house we compliment, but some other aspect that strikes us about the person him/herself. —Jenny

young visionaries
the lilac bush
is our fort

Jenna Roberts (3)

Children have such wonderful imaginations. I remember playing games outside with my friends all day long in the summertime...who knows what we were thinking? It was a new adventure every day, with such simple things as bushes and backyard trees becoming our secret hideouts or mastermind headquarters. Sometimes I get to thinking too much and wonder where my imagination went to. This haiku brings back that childlike sense of unlimited possibilities. —Jenny

in the stillness
two bells
sing the village to sleep

Bethany Tabb

silly crows
that scarecrow man
wouldn't hurt a fly

Allisha Komala

"Silly crows" also ads a nice touch of humor. It also suggests that the scarecrow is not quite doing what his name implies. —Travis

still holding
the morning coffee—
her Valentine’s Day mug

Aaron Bynum (2)

late night cafe
in a town where
they're unknown

Jenny Schultz (5)

I really enjoyed the way this haiku had sort of mystery behind it. I get the image of movie actors finally escaping the paparazzi and are just having a late night coffee talking about there lives as normal people while drinking normal coffee. Just a release of all the pressures of constantly being in the public eye, and relaxing. —James

This haiku has a feeling of mystery to it that intrigues me. We don’t know why these people are in this town so late or why they want to be unknown. I love that I can make the story whatever I want. It makes me think of an Edward Hopper painting with a few people in a bar at night. No one is looking at each other, and the whole feel is very lonely and mysterious. —Bethany

craning my tiny human neck
how did this tree
grow so tall

Emily Evans (1)

an ugly pine
at dusk.
left-side shimmering

October baseball
used to mean nothing, really—
to a Cubs fan

Sean Keller (4)

I like "Oktober baseball" because as a life long St. Louis Cardinals fan and seven year season ticket holder I know how to appreciate October baseball and also how our rivals in Chicago never quite make it (except for this year). There's just a nice touch of humor to this haiku. —Travis

trash cans
rolling in the neighborhood
urban tracking

busy schedule
thrown away
for a talk with you

Bethany Tabb (8)

I really liked this one because it shows how much one person can make a whole day better. There's a girl working her butt off with all sorts of events: school, work, projects, this that and the other. She would throw it all away for a talk with someone who could make her whole day brighter. I just thought this one was so sweet and tender. It's also so simple. —Sarah

I am pretty sure that everyone has had an incredibly hectic schedule at one point in time.  And as this haiku implies, I am sure that everyone has had an individual in their life more important than that hectic schedule. —Aaron

thoughtful tears
remembering my father
before he’s gone

Sean Keller (4)

I am really surprised to find that other people (beside me) think this way.  Sometimes when you know that someone you love is very sick or very close to leaving your life forever, you become really fond of "remembering" that person...before he/she is even gone.  After my nana died, I knew my papa would soon follow.  When I'd spend time with him, I always acted as if it was the last day we'd ever spend together.  After awhile, I just grew to appreciate him more and more.  The tiny flaws that used to bother me now touched my heart.  I think this kind of thinking is healthy.  It just gets us to appreciate what we have and be that much more prepared to lose it.  —Allisha

So many people never appreciate their parents until they lose them, and it’s one of the saddest things imaginable. This haiku is beautiful because the author recognizes how wonderful her father really is before he dies. I understand the “thoughtful tears” because there are times when I find myself crying thinking about how much I love my parents and how much it will hurt to lose them (what can I say, I’m a sap!). Appreciating your parents before they’re gone also makes your relationship with them so much better than it could have been. —Bethany

that old sweater
holes in the elbows
our first kiss

my voice speaks
without my permission
the wind agrees

No electricity
the storm dies down
Harry Potter by flashlight

watching a scary movie
all by myself
what was that!?

dirty orange flip flops
so many showers
in the freshman girls dorm

Emily Evans

I really liked this one because I live in the freshman girl dorms and I wear orange flip flops as shower shoes. I just makes me think of the shower smell (UGH) and all the things that go on in the bathroom. Our floor is really close and we all talk to eachother while we're showering so it's not just a chore. . . IT'S FUN! It just makes me think about the girls on Walker 1 and also the nasty bathroom. —Sarah

the mic cracks,
the guitar is muffled
still he is heard . . . the king

kitten sprawls
a rug that isn't hers
"this is mine now."

children
on the tornado slide
i want to play

Jenny Schultz (2)

I want to play to! Having younger brothers and sisters I always look on as their childhood has not yet ended and they have so much to look forward to. This haiku gives me the feeling of being young again. I mean I am young but young without the innocence. Just to have that completely pure feeling, and being untainted by the troubles of this world. What a great I haiku. Lets All play! —James

a book
an old handwriting
smells of storage

dashed hopes for his voice
I snap
at the telemarketer

Bethany Tabb (2)

silence—
I reread your
last letter

unafraid, a girl
steps into autumn air
boyfriendless at last.

Jenny Schultz (3)

stained white gloves
perfect for you
too small for me

falling in love
laughing in a tree
k-i-s-s-i-n-g

warm breath
kissing secrets
into the corner of her mouth

Andrew Fay (3)

Whoever wrote this either has someone that he holds very dear to his heart or he has a really imaginative mind.  This haiku is so sexy, but in a very classy way, not pornographic at all.  Whoever motivated the author to write this haiku must have a profound effect on the poet.  And whoever the poet is must be a real romantic.  All I can say is that if my boyfriend wrote a haiku like this for me, I would be deeply impressed! —Allisha

the worn cover
of my favorite book
never quite closes

trying his lips
on for size
perfect fit

going to bed
the moonlight is better
than my book

Bethany Tabb (3)

thanksgiving, i'm high
on lack of sleep.
must be home again

sleeping heavenly whispers escape her lips