Global Haiku • Fall 2018
Dr. Randy Brooks

Venus Shining Dull

by
Hannah Ottenfield

Venus Shining Dull is an anthology of haiku written by Hannah Ottenfeld for the Fall 2018 section of Global Haiku Traditions at Millikin University. It has 6 major themes; Family, Home, Friends, Love, Heartbreak, and Growing Up. The author implores you to discover these themes during your journey through the book and to reflect on what these themes mean to you. The author would like to thank all who inspired her, the good and the bad.

Reader's Introduction: Hannah's haiku are extremely visual. Each one presents a vivid, lively image, many of which have darker, more profound themes. They're very real and relatable, and they make the readers feel things. I always appreciate how genuine her haiku are, and how they make me think. ~Sophie Kibiger

manicured hands
diamond ring
one broken nail

grand dragon
settles into bed
i love you mom

a polaroid
of my mother
zipped into my backpack

fox cub
retreats back home
bloody paw

red dress
a bargain for
boys’ wandering eyes

in his lap
exchanging secrets
by starlight

date night;
he buys me
band-aids

puzzle pieces
my head
your shoulder

stoplight kisses
your smile
green light

in your bed
i catch your eye
and feel myself falling

moonlight bends
i hold your hand
you pull away

snail squished
sick to my stomach
what now?

autumn leaves
you and I
falling out

spiders
weaving webs
between my ribs

slow dancing
together again
wake up alone

empty space
between my fingers
i reach for the moon

red autumn leaves
marked with black mold
i grow up

she wishes
“happy birthday”
to the toilet bowl

red lipstick
smudged at the corners
venus shining dull

late night
moonlight reflects
on the kiddy pool

sunshine breaking
the dark night
braids in my hair

mom’s yearbook
blonde hair
my smile

a message
to a younger me;
your hair gets much cooler

black lipstick
falling in love
with myself

fading scars
falling stars
feeling swell

like the geese
i fly south
leaving it all behind

late summer night
contentedly,
i fall asleep alone.