Haiku Kukai 06 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Fall 2025
1 a long drive |
2 nest of controllers Coraline Nelson (3) |
3 adult coloring book Natalie Brodsky (8) This haiku is actually very timely for me. Just a few days ago, I was out of town with my family and was working on a coloring page to fill in the time. I haven’t colored in years, but I expected my skills to have increased nonetheless because, at the very least, I am far more patient now than I was when I was a child. While I of course was able to color better than I did back then, every now and then, my marker would still go past the lines, bleed into another section, or our camper would shake and move my hand. This haiku reminds me that, even when we’re adults and we think we have everything figured out, we still make mistakes, things that happen that aren’t in our control, and most of all, that coloring page will never be perfect. Asa Pilger, Fall 2025 I think everyone can relate to the frustrations of coloring inside the lines, but especially in adult coloring books where the spaces for you to color are unbelievably tiny and there are SO many of them. I also think this haiku speaks to something bigger, about the frustration of coloring inside the lines at all. The concept of coloring inside the lines is instilled in us as children receiving simple coloring books and being instructed to color inside the lines, which removes this aspect of not only creativity, but the artist’s creative license. So many other subjects and images can be treated when we don't hold ourself within the confines of the lines, the whole point of making art is to make something that resonates with you, and if that is adding something, or coloring outside the lines, then you should do that! Jordana Samnick, Fall 2025 |
4 sent at 3:34 pm Natalie Brodsky (8) |
5 pink leotard, pink bows, pink tights Natalie Brodsky (6) This haiku is full of sweetness and nostalgia. Little ballerinas are adorable, and many young ballerinas grow up into assistant teachers at their studio. There is so much love and care in this poem. I imagine that the teacher adores all of the students with the list in the first line of the haiku. She pays attention to everything about them and the scene. The word little holds endearment as well. Older dancers see themselves in younger dancers. The purest form of passion shows up when we just have fun, and kids are great at having fun. Amanda Spotts, Fall 2025 |
6 floating in blankets |
7 every year Sam Ramirez (7) |
8 divorce proceedings Asa Pilger (3) |
9 the dull ache Asa Pilger (9) I liked this haiku because there were many interpretations. When I read it, I imagined a girl who felt that she was not in the right relationship, feeling as though she did not feel truly connected to her partner, so she felt an ache because she was not being honest with herself or him. Sam Ramirez, Fall 2025 This haiku reminds me of an old couple where the husband has passed away. This reminds me of my nana when my grandpa passed, because she would light up looking at old photos of him. Instead of being sad, the old photo albums lit up her eyes and brought her so much joy. Hope Self, Fall 2025 |
10 fireplace burning bright Asa Pilger (11) This haiku was one of my favorites because it was rather heartwarming. It reminded me of my grandparents and how they still joke around with one another. The split of the haiku works really well; with the second line being “the old couple bicker,” most people would probably assume that they bicker playfully as said in the third line, but I liked how the writer still added “playfully” to the end. I kind of think the fireplace burning bright is maybe a symbol go their love still being bright and strong, even though (I’m assuming) they have been together for a long time. This haiku was simple, but I still get a warmth from the fire and from the relationship between the old couple. Nicole Wells, Fall 2025 |
11 old photo album Sam Ramirez (10) |
12 wood creaking and rain pouring Sam Ramirez (3) |
13 Run, rUn, ruN Chelsea Hammons (4) |
14 four chairs Abbey Matthews (6) |
15 soft spoken Chelsea Hammons (6) This is another haiku I really enjoyed. A few people have stated that dating is not easy now-days. But I have truly found my soft spoken and well mannered "one!" Keep looking ladies, you will find him, he is out there! Let him find you and focus on only yourself until then. Bella Griffiths, Fall 2025 |
16 arriving early . . . |
17 autumn breeze Chelsea Hammons (7) I really like this because it reminds me of when my friends and I would go to the park. We would always swing and play games on the playground. My boyfriend and I still go to the park sometimes and swing on the swings. This brings back memories from our childhood. Abbey Matthews, Fall 2025 |
18 my father's habits Abbey Matthews I liked this haiku because it was relatable. I always told myself I wouldn't be like my parents at all. As I get older, I catch myself doing things my dad does. It's always super funny because I slowly start to realize he is much smarter than I thought him to be. Ridge Batchelor, Fall 2025 This haiku isn’t inherently negative, but I interpreted it that way. The “I catch myself” gave me a little bit of a negative connotation almost as in a way that they are surprised and maybe disappointed to catch themself acting like that. I think when you grow up not seeing a good example of what love is, it’s hard not to copy what you see and think you know as ‘love’. Eventually, you become aware that is not what love is, and how you act is not healthy, but it’s hard to change when that is all you know. I think this haiku captures that moment nicely, that kind of catching yourself in the act thing. Jordana Samnick, Fall 2025 |
19 smoke from the grill |
20 how easy it is Bella Griffiths (4) I thought this haiku was simple worded and cute. I like that it was straight forward, not much interpretation needed but it fit the context well. I think haiku is also cute and loving. It has a good feeling in it and it is one of my favorites on Kukai 6. Addison Weed Fall 2025 |
21 divorce papers signed |
22 stretched too far Nicole Wells (8) We’ve all experienced the awkwardness of two friend groups meeting. It’s like two worlds colliding and we’re the middleman trying to make sure everything goes smoothly. This haiku is reminiscent of those times when we can’t make things go smoothly. Sometimes, two groups of people, or even two people, won’t agree or see eye-to-eye on something. When we’re in the middle of the two opposing parties, they demand we pick a side, even if we don’t want to. Once that decision is made, whether it’s the final straw in one line of decisions or one big blowout argument, we choose the friend or friend group that we stay with and the one that we betray, and there are few worse feelings than losing a friend because you had to pick between them and another. Asa Pilger, Fall 2025 |
23 for sale sign sways Nicole Wells (8) |
24 we yell along the fence |
25 which phone? Hope Self (3) |
26 at the pool Colin Arrick (9) This haiku took me right back to the movie “Sandlot.” It is too hot to play baseball. So, the boys all go to the public pool for a swim instead. The young boys are mesmerized by the female lifeguard. One of the boys cannot take watching her reapply sunscreen. So, he goes to the diving board, takes off his glasses, and jumps in. He cannot really swim. All of his friends rush to him. The lifeguard jumps in and pulls him out. She starts giving him mouth-to-mouth. When she is not looking, he gives his friends a glance and a smile, then he returns to pretending to be unconscious. The next time she goes in for mouth-to-mouth, he grabs the back of her head and pulls her in for a kiss. She pulls away and calls him a pervert. Then, she bans him and his friends from the pool. We used to watch this movie all the time at summer camp. It was one of my favorites. Emily Edwards, Fall 2025 |
27 cracked hands |
28 ich leibe dich Amanda Spotts (6) |
29 burrowed |
30 left untouched |
31 corner to corner |
32 cold then warm Hope Self (8) Illinois weather is so unpredictable. It was 90 degrees and dropped to the 50s last week. It is so hard to predict what the weather is going to do. This haiku shows the frustration that we have with the weather in this area. We just want mother nature to decide a temperature. This was just funny to me. Abbey Matthews, Fall 2025 |
33 fifth first date Amanda Spotts This haiku was so sad for me. Dating in this day and age is so hard because everything becomes a problem. With the influence of social media, there are so many expectations that just aren't attainable but somehow everyone still wants them to happen. The use of a fifth first date is especially heartbreaking because now it seems like this girl is giving up on her dating life. The readjusting of her necklace makes me think she's getting uncomfortable because she knows there will be no second date, and she's just hoping it ends well. Natalie Brodsky, Fall 2025 |
34 a song Colin Arrick (6) |
35 how do you make lemonade Jordana Samnick (18) I really liked this haiku because I can relate to it in so many ways. School always has its high and low points and when you are at the lowest it just seems like there is nothing left to squeeze out to keep you going. Being a student athlete I also feel this more deeply because we are constantly being pushed to do more and we don't always have a solution to get to the next step. Sometimes this can feel like you're hopelessly stuck trying to squeeze juice out of dry lemons. Chelsea Hammons This was one of my favorite poems because it refers to a common phrase in which you make something from what you’re given. To me I felt that this haiku made me think about running out of emotional energy, I found it interesting how everyone's perspective affected the way that they interpreted it. The haiku gives a sense of hopelessness and awareness that everyone has their limits which they may ignore because of the demands of others. Sam Ramirez, Fall 2025 This haiku is a really great metaphor. It feels so hard to keep forgiving someone over and over when you have been for so long, and things just aren't working. It feels like a relationship that you really want to work, but something isn’t quite right, and it’s getting draining and exhausting. Grace Pelz, Fall 2025 I love this take on the saying “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I feel like people always say this, but sometimes there just are not enough lemons to go around. This reminds me of last fall when I was in twenty-two credit hours, two music ensembles, and prepping for the MCAT. There were just so many things pulling me in every direction. I was trying to balance all of my school obligations and my family. Sometimes it was so much that I just wanted to crawl into bed to sleep and forget about it all. I think this Haiku is a testament to the fact that a person can only handle so much before they crack. I also think it makes you remember that you do not know what everyone is going through outside of what you see, so you should not make obligatory comments without all of the facts. Emily Edwards, Fall 2025 This poem reminds me of my journey with swimming. For several years swimming was my absolute favorite thing to do. I loved every aspect of competing and continuously trying to get faster and faster. However, towards the end of junior high, I very quickly got burnt out from a hobby that I loved to do my entire life. It’s something that I battled with for a while before I ultimately decided that I needed to take a break from swimming. My passion for swimming was completely squeezed dry, and I ultimately had to make a choice that I didn’t want to make but knew it needed to be. I’m glad I quit when I still had a little love left for the sport though. It allows me to look back on that time fondly rather than disdainfully. Hannah Swan, Fall 2025 This haiku had a double vote for me. I can really relate to these words right now, and to see that my classmates do too, makes me feel better. No one said being an honors student athlete was easy, but man I did not expect this. I know that my coach pushes me because he sees potential but somedays, my "lemons" are squeezed dry. My mind is going a million miles a minute. But he doesnt seem to acknowledge or even care that I always put forth 100% no matter what, even when my lemons are truly dry. Bella Griffiths, Fall 2025 |
36 transactional |
37 he forgives me again Nicole Wells (10) One thing I really liked about this haiku is the format with all the indents. I feel like it really showcases the kinda running thin for being so forgiving and the guilt from messing up. It really dramatizes the feeling of forgiveness, and it feels like it gets harder each time. Grace Pelz, Fall 2025 |
38 heartache |
39 my phone lights up Ridge Batchelor (9) Just reading this poem made my stomach absolutely sink. It’s almost never a good sign when someone asks to talk to you in this way, at least in my experience. I always find it incredibly hard to breathe until I know for sure what the conversation is going to be about or until it’s over. Sometimes the conversation is about something minor, but sometimes the product of those kinds of conversations can change an integral part of your life. The anticipatory nervousness that comes with trying to imagine what this conversation could be about is honestly one of the worst feelings in the world. Hannah Swan, Fall 2025 |
40 that feeling Addison Weed |
41 grasses bend with wind |
42 laughing with Ridge Batchelor (5) |
43 flower shop confirmation Emily Edwards (4) |
44 k Emily Edwards (6) |
46 church door opens Emily Edwards (5) |
47 message notification |
48 surprise diet coke Hannah Swan (8) |
49 hands shaking |
50 sand falling Grace Felz |
51 opening credits |
52 effortless love Grace Felz (7) I love this haiku because the first line is explained through the imagery of the second and third lines. Effortless love is similar to a bike ride because bike rides are fun. If the terrain is smooth, you don’t even have to peddle. This love the author describes is fun. It’s enjoyable. I think the third line is interesting. “Eyes closed” can mean that the relationship is completely natural. It constitutes a massive amount of trust and comfort. It can also show the uncertainty that the future holds. Relationships are ever-changing. They don’t know where they will be led, but they have trust that the other will love them no matter what. Amanda Spotts, Fall 2025 |
53 opening Coraline Nelson (3) |
54 dusting Emily Edwards (4) |
55 customer service smile Nissi Bamgboye (10) This haiku is also relatable. I used to work at Dairy Queen, and I had to be smiling when talking to customers. As soon as I clocked out though, I instantly switched up and wasn’t smiling. I find it funny how fast I’m able to switch between both. Ridge Batchelor, Fall 2025 |
56 heading home |
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58 society spits upon |
59 baby birds in the dugout Asa Pilger This haiku is clever. I love the idea of birds distracting the players. I personally get distracted easily, and when I played softball, I would definitely be the type of person to get distracted with baby birds in the dugout. I feel like overall this haiku offers a lot of different perspectives from the players to coaches, and even parents. Hope Self, Fall 2025 |
60 warm cookies Abbey Matthews (5) I got so much nostalgia reading this haiku! I LOVE to bake but I don't have time when I am at school. This reminds me of when I am comfortable in my own kitchen and my older brother is home with me (which is not often) and I bake his favorite cookies. We always sit on our 2 designated kitchen stools while the cookies cool juuuust enough to where we can eat them without burning our hands. I can picture the gooey centers splitting open before the cookie even reaches your mouth and the stems rising from the inside. I think that imagery is wonderful. Natalie Brodsky, Fall 2025 |
© 2025, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.