alone
at peace
       rushing water

Benjamin Maynard

botanical garden
the fountain mist sprays
my face

Georgia Martindale

in
            out
a calming breath

Alex Pratt

counting to ten
I shut the world out
eight, nine . . .

Mia Klek

botanical garden
the fountain mist sprays
my face

counting to ten
I shut the world out
eight, nine . . .

botanical garden
the fountain mist sprays
my face

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

on an old stump
moist green moss
tickles my soft feet

bottom quarter champion

on an old stump
moist green moss
tickles my soft feet

on an old stump
moist green moss
tickles my soft feet

warm hazelnut coffee
we laugh
as rain drizzles

on an old stump
moist green moss
tickles my soft feet

Austin Taylor

what is life?
I look down
at a furry caterpillar

Alex Herrera

warm hazelnut coffee
we laugh
as rain drizzles

Mackenzie Martin

sun sets on the horizon
silence emerges
and so do I

Alex Herrera

TOP half champion

on an old stump
moist green moss
tickles my soft feet

CHAMPION
 

on an old stump
moist green moss
tickles my soft feet

the overstuffed chair
in the library
knows me better than anyone

BOTTOM half champion

in the car
a quiet ride
midnight

Lucas Chatterton

darkness
the dead silence
raises the corners of my lips

Trey DeLuna

mower roars
at last
quiet time

Benjamin Maynard

going 70
music turned up
my meditation

Benjamin Maynard

darkness
the dead silence
raises the corners of my lips

mower roars
at last
quiet time

darkness
the dead silence
raises the corners of my lips

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

the overstuffed chair
in the library
knows me better than anyone

bottom quarter champion

the overstuffed chair
in the library
knows me better than anyone

my stable hammock
gently rocks back and forth
ocean boat

the overstuffed chair
in the library
knows me better than anyone

swinging gently
on the wooden porch swing
end of a long day

Maya Dougherty

my stable hammock
gently rocks back and forth
ocean boat

Austin Taylor

the overstuffed chair
in the library
knows me better than anyone

Maya Dougherty

chaotic day
I close my bedroom door
and breathe

Mia Klek

alone
at peace
       rushing water

Benjamin Maynard

botanical garden
the fountain mist sprays
my face

Georgia Martindale

in
            out
a calming breath

Alex Pratt

botanical garden
the fountain mist sprays
my face

Georgia Martindale

warm hazelnut coffee
we laugh
as rain drizzles

Mackenzie Martin

the overstuffed chair
in the library
knows me better than anyone

Maya Dougherty

botanical garden
the fountain mist sprays
my face

Georgia Martindale

It was difficult for me to make a decision between these two haiku in the Meditation Matched Pairs Contest. My partner, Maya, and I both had a hard time deciding which one we liked the most out of the two. I love the sensory details in both haiku. In the first haiku, there is the sense of smell with the word garden, and then the sensation of being sprayed with mist on the face. In the second haiku, the reader can feel the warmth of the coffee, smell and taste the hazelnut flavor, and hear and feel the rain drizzling. I also loved how well these two haiku paired together because of the element of water. In both haiku, the water is gentle and soft, and is greeted positively by the speaker of the haiku. Both of these poems created strong imagery for me, as well as put me in the middle of the moment, so it was almost impossible for me to choose in the end. Lane

While I didn't pick this one as one of my favorites it is nonetheless a very good haiku that awakens the senses. I really like how they describe the coffee as hazelnut, not only because it gives it a specific taste, but because I am a big fan of that flavor of coffee as well. They describe it as warm as well, which means it is not too hot or uncomfortable. I imagine a very warm conversation as well between people that is just relaxed and fun. I hear the sound of the rain pitter-pattering against the windows. Overall, this haiku just creates a very safe and comforting atmosphere that makes me want to experience exactly what is happening in it. Trey

This was the hardest pair for me to decide between. The first one reminds me of how I have always been the kind of person who has a favorite chair wherever I am. In my house right now, I have a favorite chair, that is just like the other 3 in the same room, but I prefer this one for some reason. I genuinely think it feels more comfortable than the others and it has the best view of the room. I sit there and just think and do homework and work on things, almost like the Thinking Chair in Blue's Clues. On the other hand, the botanical garden one reminds me of going to botanical gardens and nice parks and like the butterfly garden at the St. Louis Zoo. It reminds me of going on trips and stuff with my family when I was growing up and I can see all of the colors of the bright flowers and things. You can like feel the moisture in the air and it's refreshing on a hot summer day. In the end, I liked the chair one better though. Lucas

While these two haiku were not originally matches in the contest, there were ultimately the two haiku I had to choose between for the winner. I thought the writing was exceptional in both of these haiku and the authors had some really good ideas on how to use the language presented. For the garden, I love how it conjures about an array of images in my mind. I picture a beautiful glass walled garden with bright green, and every other color surrounding a large fountain with crystal clear water. It certainly awakens both my senses of sight and touch. But it also captures the smell of the plants, the sound of the water, and maybe even the taste of the mist on one's tongue. However, in this match I ultimately chose the overstuffed chair. I just loved how the author used clever words like "overstuffed" and "knows me". He/she wrote it in a completely extravagant way than normal. I also get a good sense of imagery from this one as well. I can just feel how comfortable the chair in the library. Trey

on an old stump
moist green moss
tickles my soft feet

Austin Taylor

warm hazelnut coffee
we laugh
as rain drizzles

Mackenzie Martin

in the car
a quiet ride
midnight

Lucas Chatterton

mower roars
at last
quiet time

Benjamin Maynard

I like the first haiku because I can smell the forest that this person is in. I can feel the damp, soft moss underneath my feet while standing on the stump. I also like the feeling of peace and solitude that this haiku gives me. It is almost like this person is just standing in the forest, feeling the moss under his feet, and going to his quiet place in order to get away from the world. I like the second haiku because I can sense the warmth of their friendship. It is cold and wet outside because of the rain yet their laughs are warm and happy. These two have been talking about their lives, past, present, and future, for hours now and there is no indication that they will stop anytime soon. These two are great friends. Ben

This was a matched pair that my partner and I came across, when we decided the winner. I enjoyed this pair, because they both appealed to the senses and brought about pleasant emotions when I read them. They both have a calm, serene, and happy theme to them, which makes them entertaining to read and imagine. Georgia

I really liked this haiku. It was another one that awakened almost all of my senses. First of all, I really like the word choice that the author decided to use. It is nice words like “moist”, “tickles”, and “soft” that really allow the imagery to come through. Furthermore, these words combined with the other words within the haiku help me to actually feel this moss on my toes. I can picture the green stump in the middle of a dense green forest. I can hear the crunching of branches and even birds around me. Finally, this haiku made me question what the person was doing in the forest. Why were they barefoot near the tree? I think there is a deeper meaning to the haiku but it is one that is difficult to figure out. Trey

I like both of these haiku because they are relatable and I can think of times where I did both of those actions. I love driving alone at night with the windows down and having some smooth jazz playing through my radio. Something about it is so calming and relaxing to the mind. I also like the second one because most people think of a roaring mower as loud and annoying, but to me, it's calming. I had a summer job where I worked for the city. I did all sorts of jobs, but I primarily mowed around the city where I lived. The zero-turn would fire up and I could listen to my music with my noise-canceling headphones on. It was so relaxing and satisfying just cutting grass and not having a care in the world. I was alone and it was my quiet and relaxing time. I believe I like the second haiku better because it really brings me back to my summer job for the city, but both are very simple and well written. Austin

darkness
the dead silence
raises the corners of my lips

Trey DeLuna

counting to ten
I shut the world out
eight, nine . . .

Mia Klek

mower roars
at last
quiet time

Benjamin Maynard

going 70
music turned up
my meditation

Benjamin Maynard

Both haiku give me the feeling of shutting out the world and turning off the senses as a way to relax. The first haiku brings in the concept of darkness only to move to the last line that implies it bringing happiness. The way that the haiku pictures a smile without directly saying it is wonderful. The imagined imagery slows down the action of making a smile into something relaxing as sight and hearing is taken away to leave the reader alone with themselves. The second haiku points more towards actively closing off to the outside world by forcing relaxation in a way. The method of counting to ten is enhanced by the last line because the countdown is almost finished as if the world is being shut out slowly as the reader continues with the end of the haiku. Alex H.

I liked this pair of haiku from the meditation matched pair contest because of the twist that comes in each one. I enjoyed the first haiku because when I first thought of a lawn mower being on near me, I couldn't understand what that has to do with the quiet, but after thinking about it and reading the haiku more I read the haiku the more I understood it. Although the mower itself causes noise, the noise that it causes creates a white noise effect which silences the sound of anything else in the area. I enjoyed the second haiku as well because this is exactly what happens anytime I go for a drive. Alex P

I know that one of these haiku is my own, so I feel a little weird talking about it, but I thought that these two made such a good pair together. They are both about driving in the car to relax, but they are polar opposites. One is about the quietness and stillness of the ride in the car at night. I wrote it imagining the quiet side streets. The other one is about flying down the road with the music cranked way up trying to drown out the thoughts that have been flying around in your head. They both accomplish the same thing but in very different ways, which I think is very cool. Lucas

I absolutely love where my mind went with this haiku. After reading it I literally took a sigh of relief because this is also one of my meditation practices. It's such a simple haiku but it can bring so much imagery and imagination into it with the few words it has. I can imagine being back in Cleveland on I-480 on a warm summer evening just blasting music with the windows rolled down and being with my closest friends. In that moment, I don't care what I had to eat that day, I don't care about the past things that have upset me, I am living in the moment and I am free. And it's the best feeling in the world. Mia

swinging gently
on the wooden porch swing
end of a long day

Maya Dougherty

my stable hammock
gently rocks back and forth
ocean boat

Austin Taylor

the overstuffed chair
in the library
knows me better than anyone

Maya Dougherty

counting to ten
I shut the world out
eight, nine . . .

Mia Klek

I really enjoyed reading these two haiku - especially matched up. I think that it can sometimes be difficult to convey motion in the poems, but these authors did that incredibly well. Ultimately, I thought that Austin's was slightly better, because comparing a hammock to a boat really threw me for a loop. I really liked how both things are instantly relaxing, and accompanied by vivid visuals. Mackenzie

I really liked the way these two haiku went with one another. Both of them have the imagery of rocking back and forth in a swinging motion, and both mention the word “gently.” However, even though they are both similar in that sense, I feel two different emotions when I read them. The wooden porch swing makes me feel reflective, like taking a brief moment to unwind after a long day. The hammock, however, makes me think of someone on vacation, and spending a long amount of time without having to worry about any responsibilities. Maya

This is the haiku Trey and I picked to win the round we did with partners. I think this haiku is extremely clever, as its describing a chair. First of all, I would never in a million years would have even thought to describe a chair as overstuffed, but I think it works wonders in this haiku. Also the fact that this author says the chair knows them better than anyone...that's a bold statement, so it's extremely convincing when put in this haiku. I think the fluidity of the haiku is great and it just makes you feel warm. I never thought I would enjoy a haiku about a chair so much!! Mia

This haiku was very cleverly written, and I like the fact that it says exactly what the person is actually doing. We have all had moments where we felt like we needed to take a few seconds and just breath to forget about what is going on around us. So it is very relatable in that way. What is even more interesting is that the author chose to write the second and third to last numbers from ten. They even put an ellipsis, which suggests that we don't know what will happen once the person reaches ten. Will they be calm or not? It creates a lot of suspense. Trey

clock strikes 3
only four more
pages to go

Maya Dougherty

hours passed
same amount of homework
I started out with

Mia Klek

ticking clock
my wood pencil
strewn with bite marks

Trey DeLuna

keyboard comes to life
an essay due
at 3pm

Alex Herrera

clock strikes 3
only four more
pages to go

ticking clock
my wood pencil
strewn with bite marks

ticking clock
my wood pencil
strewn with bite marks

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

ticking clock
my wood pencil
strewn with bite marks

bottom quarter champion

moon starts to leave
I should be fast asleep—
homework

audible yawn
he presses "SAVE"
at midnight

moon starts to leave
I should be fast asleep—
homework

hitting the submit button
11:59pm
a sigh of relief

Lucas Chatterton

audible yawn
he presses "SAVE"
at midnight

Trey DeLuna

bright afternoon sun
working on homework
                 sun sets

Mackenzie Martin

moon starts to leave
I should be fast asleep—
homework

Kalli Farmer

TOP half champion

ticking clock
my wood pencil
strewn with bite marks

CHAMPION
 

ticking clock
my wood pencil
strewn with bite marks

watercolor in the sky
he grabs my hand
and pulls me close

BOTTOM half champion

finally alone
focusing on homework
a familiar face approaches

Austin Taylor

complex equation
reach for my calculator
dead battery

Benjamin Maynard

sunday morning
comes and goes
I lay in bed

Lane Casper

missed alarm
woke up late
only one shoe

Lucas Chatterton

complex equation
reach for my calculator
dead battery

missed alarm
woke up late
only one shoe

complex equation
reach for my calculator
dead battery

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

watercolor in the sky
he grabs my hand
and pulls me close

bottom quarter champion

watercolor in the sky
he grabs my hand
and pulls me close

watercolor in the sky
he grabs my hand
and pulls me close

a choir clothed
in purple robes
sunlight through stained glass

watercolor in the sky
he grabs my hand
and pulls me close

Kalli Farmer

he buries his face in her neck
a deep breath in
never wanting to let go

Maya Dougherty

cobalt blue silk
she tightens the laces
on the corset

Trey DeLuna

a choir clothed
in purple robes
sunlight through stained glass

Georgia Martindale

bright afternoon sun
working on homework
                 sun sets

Mackenzie Martin

moon starts to leave
I should be fast asleep—
homework

Kalli Farmer

ticking clock
my wood pencil
strewn with bite marks

Trey DeLuna

keyboard comes to life
an essay due
at 3pm

Alex Herrera

I enjoyed this matched pair as well because both give the sense of a specific time while also describing that time has passed. The first haiku does this in a more obvious way. By first talking about the afternoon sun, a specific point in time is put into the mind of the reader, while the last line then moves the time up to the sun setting. The ability to have passing time while still create the image of a specific point in time is an interesting concept in the haiku. The second haiku does the same thing but in a subtler way. Unlike the first haiku, the second haiku only gives off the obvious idea of the specific time with the personification of the moon starting to leave. Although only the specific time is obvious in the haiku, the sense that time has passed is present under the surface of the rest of the haiku, especially when discussing the idea that the author should be asleep. Alex P.

I voted for this one to go all the way because I think it's such a thought out haiku. Whenever I do my homework, if I'm stuck on something I can hear the ticking of my watch in the silence and it makes me that much more anxious. I also am always found to have my writing utensil between my teeth when thinking, so I can relate to that too. I love the author's choice of words with ‘ticking' and ‘strewn'. I think it makes the haiku much more powerful and interesting to read and imagine it with those words. Mia

I really liked this one, specifically because of the first line of the entire haiku that brings the rest of it together. They keyboard “comes to life” like it is almost in hibernation before the person starts writing. It reminds me of when computers start up and always create a sound. I imagine the keyboard lighting up and the clicks of the keys as the person begins writing. I also think it is funny that the essay is due at three o'clock which is an unusual time for an essay to be due. I'm wondering if the keyboard is “coming to life” because it didn't expect to have to write something so early during the day. Trey

watercolor in the sky
he grabs my hand
and pulls me close

Kalli Farmer

complex equation
reach for my calculator
dead battery

Benjamin Maynard

complex equation
reach for my calculator
dead battery

Benjamin Maynard

missed alarm
woke up late
only one shoe

Lucas Chatterton

This was another favorite matched pair of mine. These two were very different, but were both well written. The first one is amusing, because it is something that has happened to me, and many other students. It's relatable and that makes it funny. The second one sets a beautiful romantic scene with the "watercolor in the sky." Georgia

I really liked these two haiku paired together in the Distractions Matched Pair Contest. Although technically the subjects of the haiku are not the same, the pacing and the tone of these two haiku complement each other very well. Both haiku use the last line to add a new layer of surprise. In the first haiku, the speaker realizes that the battery is dead to the calculator that they desperately need, which causes irritation and stress. In the second, the speaker realizes that they only have one shoe on, which again causes irritation and stress. The pacing is also extremely similar in both haiku. The lines all have evident breaks after them, which causes the reader to read them slowly and line-by-line. I liked these two haiku together because they embody the stress of schoolwork well, and invoke similar responses in the reader. Lane

watercolor in the sky
he grabs my hand
and pulls me close

Kalli Farmer

a choir clothed
in purple robes
sunlight through stained glass

Georgia Martindale

This was my second favorite match from the contest. The main reason I loved these two was because of the beautiful color imagery they both create. The pastel colors of the rainbow in the first one just add the romantic situation that is going on between the two lovers. Furthermore, it is sort of a visual representation of what the two are probably feeling inside. I also really like the second one. I image a large group of singers, all clothed in silk magenta robes. The sunlight through the stained glass is reflected in many different colors and these colors reflect of the shininess of the robes. The colors through the glass also serve to represent the music that the choir is probably singing. An array of different and colorful voices blending into one beautiful sound. trey

we sit
around the messy table
family dinner over

Alex Pratt

gathered around the table
my little sister's
turn

Alex Herrera

restless night
I come downstairs
my father makes fried eggs

Lane Casper

father and son
go for a walk
purple sky

Benjamin Maynard

we sit
around the messy table
family dinner over

restless night
I come downstairs
my father makes fried egg

restless night
I come downstairs
my father makes fried egg

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

standing in the kitchen
mother tries to explain
the divorce

bottom quarter champion

standing in the kitchen
mother tries to explain
the divorce

long tennis match
I glance over
and see my dad's grin

standing in the kitchen
mother tries to explain
the divorce

long tennis match
I glance over
and see my dad's grin

Mackenzie Martin

fell asleep
watching TV
my exhausted father

Alex Herrera

standing in the kitchen
mother tries to explain
the divorce

Lane Casper

the three of them
hold hands
praying at the child's funeral

Mia Klek

TOP half champion

standing in the kitchen
mother tries to explain
the divorce

CHAMPION
 

standing in the kitchen
mother tries to explain
the divorce

friday night
mom and aunt yelling
Sweet Caroline

BOTTOM half champion

stolen shirts
bad music in her car
giggling with my sister

Mackenzie Martin

friday night
mom and aunt yelling
Sweet Caroline

Benjamin Maynard

cruising down an empty street
a rusty sign
reminds me of papa

Austin Taylor

as we walk
I feel my brother's pain
funeral

Lane Casper

friday night
mom and aunt yelling
Sweet Caroline

cruising down an empty street
a rusty sign
reminds me of papa

friday night
mom and aunt yelling
Sweet Caroline

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

friday night
mom and aunt yelling
Sweet Caroline

bottom quarter champion

the packed car
is silent
sleeping children

the packed car
is silent
sleeping children

the smell of
a five-star restaurant
Mom's homecooked meal

the packed car
is silent
sleeping children

Georgia Martindale

streetlight shining
in the night
taking out the trash

Lucas Chatterton

the smell of
a five-star restaurant
Mom's homecooked meal

Alex Pratt

rain patters
outside the creaky pub
steak and fries

Georgia Martindale

stolen shirts
bad music in her car
giggling with my sister

Mackenzie Martin

friday night
mom and aunt yelling
Sweet Caroline

Benjamin Maynard

restless night
I come downstairs
my father makes fried eggs

Lane Casper

father and son
go for a walk
purple sky

Benjamin Maynard

I like this haiku match because they both captures those priceless moments with family. The first one has a little more mystery to why the stolen shirts and the bad music. I really like the choice of using the word “yelling” in the second one because I think it captures more of what is happening in the moment, not singing but literally screaming. Both are just positive and bring a smile to my face. Kalli

I like to imagine these haiku as the same story told from different perspectives. I imagine that the first haiku is from the perspective of the mom or the aunt mentioned in the second haiku. The second haiku then would be her son or daughter recalling a story that their mom told them about her memories with her sister when they were teenagers, and they both think it is so crazy to imagine their mom and aunt as a rebellious teenager. Maya

I really liked the comparisons of the strong father figure visible in these haiku. They were both very nostalgic for me, because my relationship with my dad is so strong. I thought that Lane had the stronger haiku. I thought it was really cool how the dad in this haiku was so available to his child, even in the middle of the night when you can't sleep. I also liked the sight and smell that accompanies the fried eggs. Mackenzie

long tennis match
I glance over
and see my dad's grin

Mackenzie Martin

fell asleep
watching TV
my exhausted father

Alex Herrera

standing in the kitchen
mother tries to explain
the divorce

Lane Casper

the three of them
hold hands
praying at the child's funeral

Mia Klek

I had a really hard time picking which one to choose because I thought each one was very well written and had a great message to it. The first haiku I really liked because it was a great image to see. Ever since I was little, my dad and I have enjoyed watching soccer games on TV together. We're a huge soccer family, he has coached me since the age of 4, so when watching we both get really into the game. Every so often I would glance over at my dad to see him really focused in on the game and when the favored team of the game would score, a smile would come across his face, a genuine smile, and that was always great to see. I also like that fact that usually parents are the ones who make it important to see their kids smile, and in this haiku, the roles are reversed almost, so that's really a neat way to look at it. The second one is also a child observing their father at the TV. In this one the kid may or may not be watching TV with her father but she sees that he's asleep maybe by passing through the room or something. Either way, sometimes when passing through the living room at night, I would pass by my dad with our dog on our lap and it reminded me of that. Of the two, I picked the first one to move onto the next round because of the wording and how it made me smile, but I really enjoyed both! Mia

I like the first haiku because I can sense the depressed mood and awkwardness in the kitchen as mom tries to explain the divorce. I see two teenagers struggling to accept that their parents are getting a divorce, even if they had an idea it was coming. Tears are flowing and frustrations are being voiced, although the children quietly hope that maybe now mom and dad will be happy again. I chose the second haiku because I have known someone, a teammate, who lost their life way too early and I can understand the pain that these three must be going through. It is miserable and I feel for them. They hold hands for comfort as they pray to try to cope with what has happened. This will be one of the toughest moments of their lives. Ben

I liked this matching haiku because both of them are very deep and sincere. Each cover a topic that are hard for people to talk about, death and divorce. I like in the first one the use of the word “tries” because the topic is something that is not easy to explain. In the second one, it has more of a surprise factor because you do not know what the three are praying about until the very last line. Overall I think the two were a very good match. Kalli

the packed car
is silent
sleeping children

Georgia Martindale

friday night
mom and aunt yelling
Sweet Caroline

Benjamin Maynard

the smell of
a five-star restaurant
Mom's homecooked meal

Alex Pratt

rain patters
outside the creaky pub
steak and fries

Georgia Martindale

I like this pair of haiku because they both capture family moments. The first haiku reminds me of family vacations where everyone is loud and obnoxious on the way to the destination, but by the time the family is heading home everyone is exhausted and quiet. My family has not had many vacations, but all have ended with the silent car ride as my sister and I would sleep in the back while our parents worry about getting us home. The second haiku makes me think of family just hanging around at the end of a long week. Everyone getting together and having a fun time. My father, on days we had off, would put on music to sing and dance to with my uncle and cousins that would come over on a regular basis. We would have cookouts and gatherings every couple of weeks with family that we used to be close to and this haiku brought back some great memories. Alex H.

I had a tough time deciding which haiku was the best. I really liked the memory that the first one presented me with. I remember being downstairs playing video games with my brother and we could smell a wonderful aroma of food. My mom would call us upstairs and we would come up to a beautiful table of food mom made. I also really liked the second one because of the picture that it painted in my mind. I imagined a dark street with one street lamp near a dark alley. It was rainy outside and somebody opens a creaky door into a lively pub. I like the contrast that I imagine of a gloomy day to a lively pub with steak and fries and beer of course. Overall, I think I like the second one better because it makes me imagine such a vivid picture. Austin

I love this haiku because of the fact that the author compares their mom's cooking to a 5-star restaurant. Five star places are extremely expensive and very very delicious so that's a huge compliment for the mom. I can't really relate to this because my mom is definitely not the best cook in the word (and she knows it) but it reminds me of when she makes tacos because I swear I don't know what she does with them but they are the best tacos I've ever had. So just the love that is sneakily put into this haiku makes me beam and think of the best memories with my own mom. Mia