1

his embrace
safe yet cold
sawdust on my tongue

Maddy Cummins

2

raindrops paint
a window pane
steam from a mug

Maddy Cummins

I love the unique word choice in this haiku. The description of raindrops painting a window provides excellent imagery, particularly when combined with the mug’s steam. The third line seems appropriately separate while concurrently connecting with the seemingly cozy, rainy environment described. Olivia Swords, Fall 2022

3

my cat and I
gossip about
the careless birds

Femke Stuut

I love the feeling that we as readers are being let into this private gossip, this sort of secret language that this person has with their cat. By calling the birds “careless,” we get insight into what they’re talking about, and feel like we’re in the middle of the conversation rather than hearing about it after-the-fact. It really immerses you in the moment. Page Shields, Fall 2022

4

half moon
blue and silver stars
laugh

5

my sisters and I
choosing pink African daisies
for her grave

Femke Stuut

6

hop, hop
my sister
follows the bunny

7

flying a kite
the wind 
chooses its destination

8

running feet
stars catch his
hand on her hip

Maddy Cummins

9

leather boots
now home 
to daffodils

Maddy Cummins

10

blankets float
over a field
soft shadows

11

the chase continues
up the trunk 
out of sight 

McKenzie Greene

12

hammock dangling from branch
early morning rain 
trickles on my nose 

13

one cup of this
a teaspoon of that
grandma always knows

Aiden Etchason

14

the creek flows peacefully
it will soon become
a skating rink

Aiden Etchason

15

16

there is no crunch
of leaves
dampened by rain

17

18

waiting patiently
his line bobs;
the bass too quick

Aiden Etchason

This is one of my favorite haiku from kukai 4 because it takes me back to times when I would fish with my parents, especially my dad. My dad loves to fish, and taught me all the things I know. It was a bonding experience with my dad and also with all three of us. I can remember all the times of reeling in the line and the worm is gone because the fish, or bass, was too quick to hook. Also, my dad teaching me to the fish take it a while to get a good hook, then to jerk it in, surely hooking the fish’s mouth. Mikayla Craw, Fall 2022

19

no falling
into a rabbit hole
covered by snow

Olivia Swords

20

both green
and gilded gold
adorn the rusted grate

Olivia Swords

21

22

river path
frogs will make
their own

Page Shields

This haiku has no mention of the I and therefore is a selfless haiku, which I very much enjoy. It talkes about frogs being able to care for their own. That nature can take care of, and provide for, nature. I like the words chosen for frogs will make their own. I can almost imagine frogs talking to each other and deciding where to go next on their river path. Femke Stuut, Fall 2022

23

red-tipped fingers
inked lines of poetry
once legible

24

black water
she leans over
to see her reflection

Mikayla Craw

25

leaves change
catching the tree
on fire

Mikayla Craw

26

big sister
the moon makes a halo
around her head

Mikayla Craw

This haiku was so wholesome. It reminded me of my younger sisters, how they mean the absolute world to me, how I tell everyone they’re literal angels from heaven. Something about their strong innocence, their wisdom and beauty, enhanced by this ethereal-like light. I also appreciated the relationship between the moon and the sister. Maddy Cummins, Fall 2022

27

Sunday morning
leaving early for
burnt coffee and cinnamon dust

Page Shields

28

the bird perched 
in the tree
wind sways it back and fourth

McKenzie Greene

29

class and practice
finally completed
is it dark already?

Aiden Etchason

I really liked this haiku because I used to relate to it so much in high school. I played basketball in high school which is in the winter for my school. So I would walk into school at 8 am and be there until 6:00 pm. Every time I would walk out of practice in those winter months, it was so dark out. It was like my whole day passed me by and it was already over. It almost felt like an endless cycle, and this haiku represents that perfectly. McKenzie Greene, Fall 2022

30

chrysanthemums
pressed between pages
a crown

31

she takes compliments 
like the breeze—
graceful

Maddy Cummins

32

a white fluffy tail
could it be,
my neighbour's cat?

Femke Stuut

33

Charlotte 
making her home
in a warm corner

Femke Stuut