Haiku Kukai 03

Global Haiku • Millikin University • Fall 2024

1

the walk to class
gets longer
everyday

2

hike on the
empty trail
peace at last

3

pigeons pick through
the garbage
I’m not good enough

4

going out
we play dress up
like little girls

5

the stars see
what we left
unseen

6

years of practice
one game
a screeching halt

7

texting mom
letters
from the warfront

8

a lone dimple
in the dark
star-gazing

9

abiogenesis
are you there?

10

handprint on the map
the funny shape
of home

11

first date
a hint of a smile
gives me hope

12

no special purpose
moving to 
no special place

13

happy mother’s day
the kids 
away from home

14

Haley’s comet
like us
a fleeting moment

15

an apple a day
got sick 
anyway

16

encircled on a mat
two locked in a clinch
gladiators

17

lift heavier
the weight feels
lighter

18

mom and daughter
stargazing
big and little dipper

19

grilled cheese 
or mac ‘n cheese? 
too much freedom

20

a sculptor
I am my own chisel
constantly chipping

21

wake up
work out
to wake up

22

aircraft beacon
moving overhead
the little one makes a wish

23

sweat dripping 
clock ticking 
never enough  

24

frustrated mumbling
my desk has heard
every word

25

freshman orientation
I blink
halfway done

26

blowing a kiss to papa
she asks
if the casket is heaven

27

morning meditation  
finding my balance 
in the light of day 

28

sitting beside
a forty-year-old
looking with sympathy

29

step after step 
I tell myself
just one more mile

30

introverted thoughts
I put on a smile 
as I walk into the crowd 

31

vending machine snacks
a much needed
study break

32

books open 
books close 
my mind is still wandering

33

pencil in my planner 
lines and lines 
of never ending chaos 

34

people come 
people go 
but you always stay 

35

endless sky
I wonder
where else I exist

36

starting my watch 
I still hate my 
body 

37

my feet stop growing 
shoe size defined 
by mortality

38

Saturn returns     I show up for me

 

39

earthquake 
I hide 
under mom’s arms

40

distant galaxies
my heart
in this place

41

jogging across a brook
the rowdy stream
cheers me on

42

bad day
old cartoon
my comfort show

43

rings in the sky 
a few extra moons 
i miss the grass 

44

sunlight peeking 
over the horizon 
yoga mat on the balcony 

45

anticipation high
eyes glance ahead
going back to read again

46

a wildfire 
spreading, consuming 
he said, she said

47

one pound of terra-cotta 
molds beautifully
reflected in the mirror

48

one pair of slippers
map out the dorm
clean socks

49

off to college
my excited dog
doesn’t understand

50

one after the other
my shoes
sidewalk percussionists

51

hard work
should get me places
still wishing on stars

52

chartreuse walls
tattered stuffed animal
growing pains

53

cyclopropenylidene
maybe you can show me
what that means

54

beautiful day
unstoppable
. . . caf food

55

tern circling
I follow his dive
from my earthbound perch

56

midwest highway
the falcon
has no prairie

57

stadium lights
the crowd silent
a single moment

58

quiet chatter
they’re all laughing
but not with me

59

soft whiskers 
tickle my face
my best friend

60

weighted dino 
sunrise 
through the blinds 

61

cameras flashing
strutting
in front of my mirror

62

a sunflower
made of legos
will never wilt

63

rubber duck
on the windshield
a new friend

64

the tip of the iceberg  
looks so pretty 
you don’t see down below 

65

worn leather
running out of space
in the margins

66

an addict
don’t be like me he says
as he takes another hit

67

advice from dad
differs from mom’s
a war of beliefs

68

long day
cold sandwich
I miss you mom

69

spring cleaning
dusty volleyball
in the keep pile

70

puppy kisses
the cure
for everything

71

fallen eyelash
shooting star
make a wish

72

thank you letter
complete
hand cramp

73

wine in hand
we plan
grandpa’s funeral

74

late night thoughts
moonlight
slips through my fingers

75

worst day of my life . . .
shrimp tacos 
save the day 

76

feeling lost 
an egg fallen from a nest
I call my sister

77

big toe
concrete's hot kiss
i should buy new shoes

78

red car
blue car
childhood memories zip by

79

stargazing
I feel the strange call
of home

80

paint crusted nail beds
finger paintings 
different back then

81

silent night
my only companion
the moon

 

83

how can I miss someone     two seats over?

84

election season
knowing when 
to bite my tongue

85

stuck in the static
between our favorite programs
four long years

86

shaking hands
I pretend
I’m not excited

88

for a brief moment
I ’m the Olympian
on screen

89

the stony terrain 
splits the water 
you’ve made up your mind

90

closet cleanout
my favorite jacket 
in 8th grade


© 2024, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.