Haiku Kukai 3 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Fall 2018
Jerri's late night diner Mary Callaghan I feel like this haiku pairs with the "2 choc malts". I really like the image of an old fashioned diner. I really like the concept of Waffle House, even though I've never actually been to a Waffle House. It seems like Jerri's late night diner can be a cozy Waffle House-esque place, or a really creepy dive that centers around a human trafficking ring. If it is the first option, this haiku gives me a warm image of a small diner with red booths and a friendly waitress who serves coffee, pancakes, and chocolate malts at all times of the day. Isabella Loutfi, Fall 2018 |
in the empty apartment lies Logan Bader This is one of those haiku that really does start right in the middle of things. The authors gives us just one image, but somehow tells a full story. It begs questions like "who were the malts for?" "where did they get them?" "why is the receipt lying on the floor of an empty apartment" It makes me feel as though the two choc malt people were in a relationship and living together, but broke up and now are moving out. While they are packing they find this receipt and are reminded of a date they once had and how things used to be. Perhaps this brings back memories and an emotional response for the couple, or the one person that found it. Melanie Wilson, Fall 2018 This haiku really makes me think of a couple that has recently broken up. I know the receipt says "2 choc malts" but I can't help but think of the cliché image of a couple sitting on either side of a booth drinking from a milkshake with two straws. I think a similar image can be had with the two malts. The empty apartment can mean one of two things. The couple either broke up and all moved out, or they just moved away to a different home. I think it's the first option. I imagine a couple that had just started living together when things went south. I don't think they're married. This haiku is bittersweet because it brings up the best of times, the chocolate malts, in the midst of, or at the end of, the worst of times. Isabella Loutfi, Fall 2018 |
cloudless sky |
watching the stage Mary Callaghan (6) |
third can of red bull |
forever talking Mary Callaghan (6) |
fill up the cup Melanie Wilson I love this haiku because the wording of it made it seem almost like a children's book to me, and gave the haiku a bit of a lighter feel than it might have intended. I adore the way that the first two lines mirror each other with THE cup and THE face. Even though there wasn't rhymes like a children's book, the use of the in the same spot for both lines made it feel almost like it did. Because the first two lines were fashioned the way they were, it gave the 3rd line a bouncy and light feel. In my head, it translated to "You know what, I may be running a bit behind schedule, but today still has the potential to be a great day," and so instead of feeling bogged down, this haiku made me feel optimistic. Alissa Kanturek, Fall 2018 |
summer breeze Logan Bader (7) |
he made her Naomi Klingbeil (5) I immediately loved the structure of this poem. Placing "feel" on its own line highlights the loneliness mentioned in the haiku. It also gives "feel" more significance; maybe, it is separated from "she wasn't alone" because she actually was alone and that was just a feeling. Or, perhaps, the isolation of "feel" represents how she used to feel before "him". Rachel Pevehouse , Fall 2018 |
labor day weekend sale |
laces undone Melanie Wilson (4) |
clenched fist Rachel Pevehouse I enjoy this haiku, it captures the anxiety and stress of thinking back on a situation and thinking of all the things that you could have said. I find that I never think of the words I want to say to someone until after the opportune moment as past, typically when I'm laying in bed at night. I am quite quick to anger unfortunately, and I often find myself wishing I could just speak my mind when I'm frustrated but I know that I would say something hurtful. However, sometimes I think it would just be nice to let it out. Hannah Ottenfeld, Fall 2018 I loved this haiku because I read it in a couple of different ways. At first, I read the lines as three separate phrases, and in this interpretation I found the second line to be very powerful. Just "it holds" on its own created a sense of persisting anger or passion. For me, it showed a sort of grudge feel, instead of an instant of frustration. Then, when I read it again, I realized that the 2nd and 3rd lines were probably one cohesive line divided into two parts. I also loved the imagery of this interpretation because the fist serves a sort of symbol for the things this person wishes they could have said, and you can feel the pressure and tension in either interpretation. Alissa Kanturek, Fall 2018 |
curls cascade past |
first college party Rachel Pevehouse (9) |
college party Sophie Kibiger The pain in this haiku could refer to physical pain, or it could mean emotional distress. I imagine the latter scenario. This girl does not have many close friends at college, and the party is one of the first events she has dared to go to. She spends most of her time at the library studying and doing homework. However, a friend persuaded her to try out a party and see what she thinks. This girl shows up at a party on a Saturday night, but her friend completely ignores her. Moving into a corner, the embarrassed girl feels unsure of what to do. Suddenly, one of her favorite songs comes over the speakers. Students start dancing in the middle of the room. Though alone, she decides she wants to dance and have fun, even if she appears weird to others. Emily Sullins, Fall 2018 |
warm rays of sunlight |
refund check Sophie Kibiger |
I numb the pain Rachel Pevehouse (12) This haiku immediately took me back to a two-week period this summer that was particularly rough for me. For that two-week period, I let people give me random stick and poke tattoos. It took me back to the apartment I lived in over the summer and all the other spots I allowed myself to get these tattoos. I was reminded of the headspace I was in when I was actually receiving the tattoos. This haiku was a nice way to remember all the stories I have because of these tattoos. Zachary McReynolds, Fall 2018 This haiku makes a lovely comparison between emotional and physical pain. The "pain" in the first line is emotional or psychological pain. Perhaps stress, heartache or anxiety. The author then juxtaposes this concept of emotional pain by numbing it with physical pain, in the form of a tattoo. Tattoos are obviously pretty painful to get done, but are often used as a coping mechanism for emotional stressors or pain. This highlights the very human experience of pain in many forms. Melanie Wilson, Fall 2018 |
Summer day Sophie Kibiger I enjoyed this haiku because I'm an asthmatic and I am basically allergic to just about everything in nature; trees, grass, weeds, any animal with fur, and my favorite, the cold (yes it is a real thing). This summer I recently started to receive allergy shots once a week for four years in order to help control them. This haiku was very relatable because I felt the tiredness of the repetition of constantly being at the doctor's office. Sydney Rudny, Fall 2018 |
summer ice cream Sophie Kibiger (4) |
deep blue sky Logan Bader This haiku brought me such a profound sense of comfort. The image of the sky on a beautiful day popped into my head instantly—the shade of blue that is so intense and saturated that it hurts to look at directly, but you do anyway because its so pretty. And to pair that with the image of a young dairy calf snuggling up to its mother in a pasture completes the painting. This is a scene that happens quite often where I am from (as I'm sure it does many other places), but I especially see this happening on the drive here, to Millikin. I'm often driving home during the day, and I've come to associate this image with coming home. The image is so serene and wholesome, and makes me think of home. Daria Koon, Fall 2018 |
electro-pop music |
yellow bike Sophie Kibiger I loved the imagery and color of this haiku. I appreciated the relationship of the color yellow between the bike and the daffodils. Even though it is not explicitly said, daffodils are also yellow, and it ties the whole haiku together. I also liked the word choice, especially "zooming" and "cracked" because it makes the image more vivid and interesting. I also enjoyed the contrast of a longer line between two brief lines. Rachel Pevehouse , Fall 2018 |
war with the mirror Rachel Pevehouse (4) This haiku is bittersweet. It is sad to think about someone having a war with their body image yet in the end they begin to accept themselves. When reading this haiku I thought of a girl in college who has been working hard to eat healthy and work out, not realizing how beautiful she already is, and then she begins to see results from her efforts to work out. I also felt that feeling of when you can see results from all the hard work you have been putting into working out and eating healthy. It is an elating feeling and I think, although it is somewhat sad, this poem also can make the reader smile because they are happy that the girl has accepted herself. Mary Callaghan, Fall 2018 |
divorce |
heavy steps Logan Bader This haiku is relatable. Who hasn't felt absolutely dreary merely because it looks so gross and wet outside? It's even worse when there is already something bothering you, and the rain seems to highlight what was already weighing you down. The haiku gives off the latter vibe to me. Not only is the rain weighing her down, but her backpack is as well, and I can't help but imagine that other things contribute to the heaviness as well. This haiku gives off great imagery. I can so clearly visualize the sloshy, lazy steps the girl takes, because she feels to weighed down to have any more energy in her steps. I can almost hear the internal monologue about how today is such a crummy day, and I relate to this image a lot. Alissa Kanturek, Fall 2018 |
scrolling through Instagram Alissa Kanturek (7) I loved this haiku because I used to scroll and scroll and scroll through my instagram discover page looking at girls that I didn't know. I was jealous of their cute pictures with their boyfriends or their boating pictures in their skimpy bikinis that I would never be able to rock. I would tear myself apart looking at these photos of complete strangers. For no reason! I didn't even know these people and it makes me angry that I ever let myself do that for hours on end. But nonetheless, I don't let myself do that anymore. Naomi Klingbeil, Fall 2018 |
Derek’s death |
college best friend Alissa Kanturek (6) This haiku made me very emotional. I immediately picture my college best friend, Maggie, and thought about if we will see each other after college. Of course, we promise that we’ll see each other as much as possible, but we don’t actually know how often that’ll happen. I’m from Minneapolis, and she’s from St. Louis, so we’re literally 1,000 miles away. It made me sad to think that someday, we’ll see each other for the last time, though I really hope we’ll keep in touch and be just as good of friends when we’re 70. Sophie Kibiger, Fall 2018 |
quick shallow breath |
late late night Alissa Kanturek (9) I love this haiku more than any other haiku I’ve read this semester. It just makes me so happy because there’s nothing better than new love filled with constant romance. The smell of someone you like on your clothes doesn’t just give you butterflies, but it fills your whole heart and makes you smile from ear to ear. I can’t help but be happy when I read this, and I just want to continuously read it over and over again to be continually filled with contentment and happiness. I picture a girl in a baggy t-shirt smelling the front of her shirt with the slight smell of her partner from possibly spending a very late night with him and with the sniff of her shirt, she’s reminded of the memories which were created the night before. Hannah Haedike, Fall 2018 This haiku made me smile. It reminds me of the when you're starting out in a relationship with someone and you're with them a lot and after they've left you can faintly smell them on your clothes. Or in general, it doesn't have to be about a relationship, when you catch that perfume, cologne, or deodorant smell that reminds you of exactly one person in particular and all the memories of them (good or bad) come flowing back to you. Sydney Rudny, Fall 2018 This poem also makes me feel very warm. I picture two lovers lying around and talking for hours while just snuggly up into each other. One leaves to go back home but as they are changing, they recognize the scent of their lover's deodorant on them and they smile to themselves. Isabella Spiritoso, Fall 2018 |
does he like me Daria Koon (10) Hehe I like the play on words here. When you’re out and about on the weekends, a lot of people either drink or get high or just are simply in an altered state. It’s hard to judge when someone is interested in you or if they’re just acting a specific way because of a substance in their body – especially when it’s someone you like before encountering them that weekend. I also really like the ellipses and how it adds the effect of not knowing how to react to someone in an altered state. It also could be interrupted as if the author of this haiku was in an altered state themselves and had to take a few minutes to even muster up the courage to say hi to this said person. Through in through, this haiku made me laugh, yet also realize how cruddy it can be for individuals my age to crave this altered state when it just leads to more problems in the end. Hannah Haedike, Fall 2018 |
I don't know what Daria Koon (12) I feel like this haiku holds a lot of nervous energy. At first, I think of someone who is giving a presentation (or just talking to someone else in general) and is fidgety; they aren't sure what to do with their hands, so they just stick them in their pockets. The person is already nervous about talking in front of a group of people, but then they get even more nervous because they're afraid they look stupid because they don't know what to do with their hands. Haley Vemmer, Fall 2018 |
mare's tail flicks |
hoping for a |
fresh strawberry smoothie Alissa Kanturek I was drawn to the descriptive nature of this haiku. Instantly, I picture a pink smoothie in my hand. It is summer time, and I ordered the smoothie to cool me down in the afternoon heat. My family and I are at the beach, and I always like to order things on vacation that I do not usually have. Today, it is an ice-cold smoothie that has fresh strawberries. It is made to order, and as I slurp it through the straw, I feel refreshed. Not only is the smoothie itself literally refreshing, but it represents the relaxation and time spent with my loved ones. I am mentally and physically refreshed by this pink drink, which embodies what summer is about to me. Emily Sullins, Fall 2018 |
washing Emercen-C |
Netflix |
hearts beating fast Melanie Wilson I love this haiku. It left me with an interesting question. Are their hearts beating quickly because they are running, or are the feelings between them causing the rapid heartbeat? I think it is both. I picture a city park with giant trees and a cool breeze. Two people are running to get in a fun workout. I see a woman as the voice behind the poem, and she met this man a few months ago. They are friends, but both of them have strong feelings for the other. She casually invited him to run with her this morning, and he said yes. This is the first time they have spent time together alone, and they are both nervous. During their run, both try to impress the other with running the very best they can. They joke, laugh, and smile the whole time, realizing that their feelings are becoming stronger for the other person with every step. Emily Sullins, Fall 2018 |
in your eyes Haley Vemmer This haiku brought me to a sad place. It made me think of someone that you've just met. This person is so perfect, almost as if they were meant for you. You're blinded by all the things you are finding perfect about them without even knowing their past. Not knowing that they grew up in a terrible household or not knowing that their mother died when they were young. And maybe they've had some behavior that may allude to these mysteries that they have yet to tell you about. Maybe you want them to tell you all of these things without pressing them. Rather than pushing them to tell you, you just wait patiently. You listen and appreciate all the perfection that you see in them. Naomi Klingbeil, Fall 2018 This haiku actually makes me very emotional. It reminds me of a past relationship. When people meet each other for the first time, they have no clue what each others pasts were like, including past relationships. We hear about things like "trust issues" that affect people's ability to open up and to love and share their life with a person. When I got in my relationship with my ex, I didn't find out until months down the line the he was cheated on and abused in his last relationship. He had so many insecurities that stemmed from that experience that I never knew about when I looked into his eyes. He told me later that that is what kept him from falling in love with me.He feared the same heartbreak that happened in his last relationship would happen with me, and so he wouldn't fully open himself up to me. I never knew about that until he told me, which goes to show, we don't know what people, or dogs, have gone through until it is exposed to us. Jenesi Moore, Fall 2018 I think this haiku is very beautiful but also very sad. I just imagined a couple laying next to each other, under the stars, and they just want to know everything about each other. Like they never want to leave that moment and just keep talking into the night. But they're both jaded, they have some scars that haven't healed yet and thee relationship is still new so they both don't want to scare the other off with their baggage, but all they know is that they want to be together. Hannah Ottenfeld, Fall 2018 |
blue river Emily Sullins (5) This haiku made me very sad. I imagined that it might have been an old friend or significant other attending a funeral of someone in the navy or marines. This burial at sea would be an emotional affair and I imagined that it was for an old captain or general high up who finally lost his life at war. This scene, in my head, was very bleak. I could smell the ocean and feel the humidity hanging in the air. Mary Callaghan, Fall 2018 This haiku made me depressed. There is nothing, in my mind, worse than having to say goodbye to someone you loved from afar. To me, it's almost like you never got to say goodbye at all. The image of the river acts as a literal image of a river, but also as a moat between those who were invited (or welcomed) at the funeral compared to the individual watching it from the back. The phrase that best fits how this haiku makes me feel is taken from Melanie Wilson, "tear my heart out." Just reading this haiku caused this well of grief to bubble up inside. Daria Koon, Fall 2018 |
too tired for Hannah Ottenfeld While reading this haiku, I pictured a girl in college, waking up way later than she wanted to. She probably slept through her alarm or forgot to set one at all. Usually, she loves to wear makeup, and feels insecure without it, but today she has no time to put any on. It probably won’t be a big deal, she thinks. I only have one class today, she thinks. Everything is fine until she’s on her way home and she sees her crush, looking adorable as ever, and she feels like trash. She barely manages a smile as they pass by, hating herself for waking up late. Now that they’re seen her in her true form, will they still like her? Sophie Kibiger, Fall 2018 I feel this haiku so much. But it wasn't a crush, I haven't had a crush in a very long time. My case is with my ex. I have that mentality like " I don't want him to see me like this and be glad that he's not with me anymore." So Ii try to look my best on days that I may see him, but there are so many days that I am just exhausted from doing homework, working , and being a single parent. So some days I just don't feel like getting pretty, or even just presentable. I guess I still have feelings for him too. That's probably the only reason I care what you can call him a crush. This is just..a mood. Jenesi Moore, Fall 2018 |
deep blue |
one last swim Hannah Haedike This haiku brought me back to some of my favorite times—when we used to take family trips to the lake. We had our own boat and a slip. We would always go stay at this extremely rundown hotel, but for some reason, it was one of the most fun places to stay ever. The rooms were cabin style and pet friendly, so we would always bring the dogs with us. Our cousins would always come stay at the same time with us and we would light off fireworks for the 4th of July, play cards, go out on the lake, and it was so much fun. This haiku also made me really sad because we are all grown up now and it has been years since we have visited the lake. I am the youngest cousin of the group, and the rest of them are college graduates. Logan Bader, Fall 2018 I find this poem to be very simple, yet sweet and nostalgic. My family has a lake house up in Antioch, IL at the Chain ‘O Lakes and I basically grew up at this place. I remember it being the only place I ever wanted to be--good thing we were there every weekend in the summer. I can picture myself on our boat as a kid, trying to memorize the names of all the lakes. We would stop in the same place to swim every time--Pistakee Bay. Mom wouldn't ever jump in, as she just liked to watch us swim. She would always yell at us to put our life jackets on, and I couldn't wait until I turned 13 so I didn't have to wear that stupid thing anymore. Now that I am older, I am able to appreciate these memories more and cherish the times we come together as a family to enjoy each other's company. Jordan Niebuhr, Fall 2018 |
no makeup on |
lying on the ground Hannah Haedike I love nature and being outside in the right weather. This haiku put me in the field by my grandfather's house. I grew up running around this field as a child, so I am sure I was thinking of someone I was crushing on there. I could picture myself there now if I were back home, so it also makes me feel a little homesick. It's a very cute haiku that I appreciated greatly. Zachary McReynolds, Fall 2018 |
fortune telling |
somebody I used to know |
seeing his face Hannah Ottenfeld (8) For this haiku, I imagined a girl around my age scrolling through Tinder. Nothing about it is particularly out of the ordinary until she sees an old ex-boyfriend. She hesitates as she remembers the time they spent together. They were young, fifteen or sixteen, and they used to spend every second together. They’d go out to the movies, out to eat, to the park, to family gatherings, everything. And now, they’re basically strangers. For a minute, it’s hard to resist the urge to swipe right. But she knows better than to let an old flame rekindle – she swipes left. Sophie Kibiger, Fall 2018 |
date night; Hannah Ottenfeld (9) I really like this haiku because it almost forces you to think of a backstory behind it. Where were they? How did she get hurt? How cute is it that he was so caring and made sure she had what she needed to feel better? I think this is a really sweet haiku about the first date between late teens (maybe 17 or 18), that goes a little sour but is really really sweet in the end. I can almost see him putting the band-aid on her scrape. It is a very sweet scene. Jenesi Moore, Fall 2018 |
summer night |
he throws back another |
long shadows Hannah Ottenfeld (6) This was my favorite poem of this week. I have always loved evergreen trees so the visual of them being a guide in one's journey was calming and warming to me. I have very clear picture in my head of the trees passing by and their shadows stretching out far. Isabella Spiritoso, Fall 2018 |
tears Isabella Spiritoso I wanted to bring this poem up during Kukai, but I chose not to for some reason. I think this one flew under the radar and definitely should have gotten more credit. When I first read this I picture someone reflecting on their childhood. Although we don't know exactly what happened, it is clear that this person's childhood home was not a positive environment to be in. One can see that the house is extremely triggering for them. As a paraprofessional and future educator, I get to work with so many kids that I care so deeply about, and thinking that I may never understand someone's difficult home situation hits me hard. Jordan Niebuhr, Fall 2018 |
alone in the kitchen . . . |
my paint palette |
arm around Isabella Loutfi (4) |
dusty fingertips Isabella Spiritoso (5) |
mom's yearbook Hannah Ottenfeld (11) I enjoyed this one so much. I felt like this haiku was literally written for me. People always tell me that I look like my mom, and my brother looks like my dad. When I read this haiku, I thought of this time when mom and I were actually looking through her old yearbooks. In her pictures, she had extremely long, blonde hair. She was even built like I was in high school, super tall, lengthy, and athletic build. But looking back into this memory, I could really picture her smile in the pictures, and it was like an enlightenment moment for me, and how much I really do resemble her. Logan Bader, Fall 2018 |
crisp October Isabella Loutfi The beginning word, crisp, is probably the best word to describe the autumnal feeling. The crisp leaves when the crack under your feet, and breeze through the air. I love this feeling (fall is my favorite season), so naturally, I was drawn to this haiku just because of how excited I am for the season. I imagined the smell of apple cider and that holiday smell. I can't put my finger on it but it is how throat coat tastes. The smell filled my senses and it brought a warming sensation to my heart. Mary Callaghan, Fall 2018 I like the sensory details of this poem. I can feel the crisp October wind, especially after the mention of tank tops. Then, I can smell and taste the cider. I love how this poem's sensory details have the power to completely bring me into poem and set the scene. Isabella Spiritoso, Fall 2018 |
worn-in sofa Isabella Loutfi (4) |
young couple Isabella Spiritoso (7) At first I thought of a young couple at a drive in movie on a summer night, driving away from a sappy love story that reminded them of their own relationship and how happy they were. Upon further readings, I read it as a couple who was driving into the end of their relationship. They were trying and trying to hold on but the credits at the end of the movie are inevitable. All movies end with credits and no matter how hard this couple is holding on, the end is near. Naomi Klingbeil, Fall 2018 This haiku really made me think of my girlfriend. I imagined our life together (we have dated 4+ years) all in a split second. I imagined the memories we have made so far, the mistakes, and the challenges. My mind placed it all into one huge depiction of all these significant moments. Then I imagined the "credits" scene, which was an image of us driving away to our honeymoon after marriage. We were both fresh college grads, freshly married, and about to start the new chapter of our lives, and thus we were in the credits of our upbringing—of what our lives and experiences have been up to this point. I pictured us starting our new sequel movie; myself in medical school and her in the special education classroom setting. I imagined our new apartment, or nice cozy house, and whatever else is to come. Logan Bader, Fall 2018 |
galaxy churning |
7am Isabella Spiritoso (7) This happens to me way too often. Ill wake up from a deep sleep and look at the time and see I still have an hour and two more to sleep. As I lay back down trying to resume my slumber, I suddenly become too aware of the birds yapping away outside my window. There's some annoyance but also humor to this haiku that made it very relatable to some of my past experiences. Sydney Rudny, Fall 2018 |
nightcrawler Jenesi Moore (5) |
dislocated shoulder Jenesi Moore This haiku makes me laugh but also kind of sad. It's funny because falling down the stairs is such a comical image and it happens to everyone at some point, but the fact that the subject actually got hurt and then had to lie about it makes me wonder what exactly happened. I imagine a young person who is becoming dependent on alcohol. They might be in college or in the early phases of a stressful career, but they consistently have two too many drinks. This time, the subject took it way too far and was actually physically harmed. The saddest part is that they have to lie about it as well. I feel like maybe they're in denial and continuously lie about their binge drinking habits. Isabella Loutfi, Fall 2018 |
drug party cascade Jenesi Moore (5) |
golden blonde hair, Jordan Niebuhr This haiku instantly brought me to the end of my last relationship. It's hard to let go of someone that you've idolized for a period of time, especially when that individual has striking features. For me, the eyes are a huge part of that, and, while reading this haiku, that like stuck with me (or stared into my soul, more like it). I got the feeling that I was being watched by the woman described in this haiku. The dash acted, for me, like the hold of her eyes on the speaker—it reeled me in, and made it hard to let go. This haiku made me feel sad, but in that good way where something hurts, but I don't want to let go. Daria Koon, Fall 2018 |
french vanilla candle Jordan Niebuhr I'm a big candle collector so I instantly connected to this one, vanilla is also one of my favorite scents. A candle fading is a good metaphor for a relationship that just sort of trails off. There's no real ending, no big fight or anything, but you just lose touch with the other person and all that's left is the good memories that makes you want more, kind of like the lingering scent of a candle. I just imagine a person sitting by themselves, reminiscing on the good times but maybe not necessarily wanting them back, they were "burned" so to speak. Hannah Ottenfeld, Fall 2018 |
12th birthday party Jenesi Moore (8) This haiku really does capture a moment that I feel like every girl goes through. Whether it is a miniskirt, a bra, makeup etc. we have all had that coming-of-age moment, when not only us, but the other people in our lives are coming to recognize our adolescence and womanhood. As this girl is opening her gift, she is very excited for her future, to feel pretty, wanted and accepted with her other friends and classmates. Her family members that are watching her are probably smiling and rolling their eyes, both excited for and dreading what will come next. Melanie Wilson, Fall 2018 |
una taza de café, Jordan Niebuhr (8) |
break up text Randy Brooks (7) I liked this poem because of the emotion it brings up without using an emotional phrases or words. It reminds me of the Lyles and Cher readings about writing haiku; by juxtaposing a break up text with cutting her bangs, the reader fills in the gap with what led her to do so. I personally interpreted it as an impulsive decision brought on by a heartbreaking message. I also find it interesting in movies and other media, the trope of someone getting a haircut after a breakup is common. That idea in the haiku can connect to many even if they have not experienced it personally. Rachel Pevehouse , Fall 2018 |
green grass |
everyone rushes |
spins and spins Zachary McReynolds I like this poem because it makes me feel happy. It reminds me of a being a little kid and sitting in a chair that spins (or really just anytime I sit in a chair that spins that I don't have to act mature). It was always so much fun to sit and spin until you couldn't stand up straight when you were done. This haiku just evokes memories and feelings of pure joy and nostalgia. Haley Vemmer, Fall 2018 |
a crowded room Sydney Rudny I’m pretty sure I wrote this, but truly I can’t remember. I just love this haiku. I think it’s kind of sad how someone can be completely surrounded by other individuals yet feel completely alone. When there’s a lot going on around you, it is easy to feel that you can get lost in the commotion of everything going on and not truly present with the people you’re surrounded by. I also like the way it’s formatted, in the sense that it all leads down to being alone. Hannah Haedike, Fall 2018 I also think this poem went rather unnoticed. I loved a couple different things about this haiku. The first thing I enjoyed was the content because I have related to it so many times in my life. Because I deal with anxiety and depression, this specific situation hits home for me. Another thing I thought was interesting was the scope of the poem and the formatting. The first line, "a crowded room," is the longest and the length of the lines as it goes on diminishes to the last word, "alone." Great job to whoever wrote this one! Jordan Niebuhr, Fall 2018 This haiku makes me feel sad on the surface level because I get the picture of someone standing off to the side of a crowded room, but no one is talking to them, and it's almost like they're not there. However, I can kind of relate to this on a deeper level. It's always been kind of hard for me to connect with other people, so even when I'm in a room full of people having conversations (like a class discussion), it's hard for me to get involved in the conversation. Haley Vemmer, Fall 2018 |
© 2018, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.