1

fresh teabag
in lukewarm water
steeping slowly

2

the coffee, like a lie, 
tastes sickly sweet
bitter to the grounds

3

thin pages
crinkling under wrinkled fingers
drops of coffee stain

Olivia Swords (7)

I loved this haiku, not only because it brought back many memories of my late great-grandmother, but also felt quite nostalgic. Growing up visiting my G.G. 's quaint little apartment, her serving us juice or crackers and cheese, and of course orange sherbert. I remember her thick, well-worn bible sitting in the corner on a coffee table, her entire closet filled with old bibles (thinking about it now, there was most likely only a few, but it felt like she had an entire bible bookstore.) The smell of bitter yet weak coffee, her twisted, arthritis-ridden fingers, soft and silk-like, lovingly pinching my cheeks or giving me a firm embrace. I remember the smell, the haiku evoked so many sensory images for me: between the crinkling of thin pages, the pruny soft skin, and the damp and musty smell of worn pages stained with coffee. Maddy Cummins, Fall 2022

When listening to the thoughts of others who enjoyed this haiku in class, I found that a lot of my peers had different ideas and interpretation of the haiku than I did (which is totally natural, haiku is for the listener to interpret). I kept trying to see their perspective of an old book with stains in it maybe in some type of coffee shop or bookstore, but I just wasn't interpreting it the same way. When I hear these words, it brings me back to my grandparents' old house. It was a normal, blue-collar home with a beautiful screened-in porch where birds could be heard, and the soft breeze could be felt. Now, looking back, I remember sitting on the porch with my grandpa, he, with his Wall Street Journal in hand, and his mug of coffee, dripping the freshly brewed cup every so often. To me, this haiku brings back memories of Saturday mornings, enjoying the peace and quiet of dawn as a toddler. To me, this haiku struck a memory in me that had been locked away for a while, and for a little while, I felt at peace. Aiden Etchason, Fall 2022

4

sizzling sausages
Labor Day weekend
fall is here

5

crumpled notebook paper
sticky PB&J fingerprints
says “I love you”

Page Shields (6)

6

stovetop popcorn
settling in
home

7

toddler fingers
pull open rose buds
premature

Page Shields (4)

It reminded me of when I was a child. How I used to pick at the flowers and pull them open before they were ready to bloom. The haiku also can have so many meanings. The addition of the word premature works on the toddlers and on the rose buds that are not yet roses. It's also a premature act for the toddlers to open up these buds. This haiku brought me to a field with roses, so that I could even smell them when I read it. For these reasons this haiku is my favourite. Femke Stuut, Fall 2022

8

empty nest
one egg
uncracked

Page Shields (2)

9

dust settles in mute 
sun setting dyes the
room in gold

Nathaniel Graybeal (3)

10

alone and cold
a box on a road
the black kitten

Femke Stuut

11

squeals of shock and delight
umbrellas bobbing
the rain treats the day

12

heart shaped candles 
smell of sugar cookies 
warming the soul alike 

13

he wore sunflowers
like he was
the sun itself

Maddy Cummins (4)

It reminded me of the movie Midsommar for some reason — like a gender-bent version of the image at the end of the woman in a flower crown. I love the characterization of this “he” as soft and floral. It’s beautiful. Page Shields, Fall 2022

14

grass
green as can be 
running through sprinklers 

McKenzie Greene (3)

15

salty morning
checking the crab trap
for potluck dinner

Page Shields (4)

16

walking through an antique mall
the smell of old books
someone’s memories

Mikayla Craw (5)

This particular haiku resonates with me because it represents a very relatable situation. Furthermore, the descriptive language utilized produces a strong visual and tangible image. While many haiku address a specific image, the added description of smell adds additional dimension. Olivia Swords, Fall 2022

17

the silver watch
showing both times
of you and I

Femke Stuut (3)

18

crack of pads
with whistles all around
a fall night in the Midwest

Aiden Etchason (4)

19

my sister walks into my room 
which shoes? 
ready for a night out 

McKenzie Greene (4)

20

thin crease
down the front
of my clean sneakers

Olivia Swords (3)

21

late night screen
piles of books
rubbing tired eyes

22

art adorns skin
painted in thick
cigarette smoke

Maddy Cummins (3)

23

rain serenades the
sleeping vinyl siding
peace

Aiden Etchason (3)

24

a warm breeze
five smiles
the summer of 2019

Femke Stuut

I like this haiku because the summer of 2019 was the summer before I started college here at Millikin. So for me, it reminds me of saying goodbye to friends as they go off for college when it says “five smiles,” being the 5 friends. This is the time in life where you are starting over again. You’re going to a new place where you may not know anyone, and adulthood is starting. Everyone is going there own path and you’re beginning to start a new chapter in life. This is the last time you may see some of your friends. Mikayla Craw, Fall 2022

25

my firefly
high in the sky
too far to see the light

Femke Stuut

26

drops of sunlight
across the dew
bouncing rays

27

majestic peaks
wildflowers in the distance
summer snow