1

ofrenda 
his favorite meal 
rotting by his side

Sam Ramirez (7)

I really liked this haiku because it was surprising and eerie in a way. It shed some light on the reality of the Day of the Dead at the end of the day. During the day, it is a spiritual celebration, but if you feel detached from this, it's easy to see the sad side of it. Families set aside their past family members' favorite foods to feed their spirits as they come back home to visit. The first two lines show this practice, but the third line adds so context as to what this looks like from the outside. As the celebration comes to an end, the food has been sitting out for some time, and some sadness from missing your family members might set in. The word choice, ‘rotting,’ throws this in your face in a way and adds a twist. Chelsea Hammons, Fall 2025

2

floating marigold petals
lit up 
by glistening candle light

Natalie Brodsky (4)

3

our favoirte photo of us 
his favorite green picture frame 
the last to go on the ofrenda

4

sixth grade Spanish class
cutting papel picado
Coco plays faintly behind 

Natalie Brodsky (3)

5

familiar faces,
others I've never seen—
I pray for all

Sam Ramirez (3)

6

candy skulls 
we dance 
with their spirits

Sam Ramirez (4)

7

grandmother’s grave
her spirit warm between
my wind-pressed palms

Amanda Spotts (3)

8

remembering my father
a shuttering breath
you shouldn’t have come

Amanda Spotts

This haiku almost feels like it belonged in the Halloween kukai with how creepy it is. I really like the idea of someone thinking they’re doing the right thing by respecting their deceased relatives and accidentally stumbling upon something much darker. It feeds into classic stories like teenagers using a ouija board to summon a spirit and accidentally allowing a demon into their lives. A second interpretation might be thinking of a father who was abusive or one otherwise has particularly negative emotions of. The shuttering breath and idea that one shouldn’t go there might be for the one coming up with the memories themself. Asa Pilger Fall 2025

9

rows of family in pews
my youngest sister beams
with her chosen saint

10

marigolds scattered
across the streets
bringing you back

Grace Felz (7)

11

your favorite food
same as mine
placed under your photo

Grace Felz (4)

13

sweet sugar skulls
photos across the ofrenda
remembering you

14

Día de los Muertos
marigolds cross over
with glee

Randy Brooks (2)

15

above all the rest
on the ofrenda
her only dog

Randy Brooks (7)

16

visiting my daughter
great great grandma Coco
remember me

Emily Edwards (4)

17

vibrant face paint
parade floats
adorned with marigolds

18

torn photo
on the ofrenda
tonight’s forgotten soul

19

sad but happy 
a day to celebrate 
those we love

Abbey Matthews (5)

20

we gather to pray
saying their names and
trading soft smiles

21

everlasting spirit 
surrounds the family 
dia de Muertos 

22

painted skulls
death tastes a little too sweet
for me

Colin Arrick (10)

I really like this one because the contrast of the sweet sugar skulls and death which isn’t so sweet. I think this ecaptures day of the dead really well for me and also has that emotional aspect which I really like. Grace Pelz, Fall 2025

23

St. Patrick questions
his association
with leprechauns

Asa Pilger (4)

24

dancing
sugar skulls line
the festival street

25

a golden path 
guides my family home 
petals, upon petals, upon petals

26

singing in the night
we all light candles, 
waiting for him

27

from pain to joy
we remember
those we love

Hope Self (4)

28

las calaveras 
smile ever radiantly 
each year 

Nissi Bamgboye

29

colorful faces
painted skulls
the dead come back to life

30

crunchy crystalized sugar skulls 
pink pan de muerto
my favorite holiday

31

each year
the life of the party
back once again

Nicole Wells (3)

32

all of my favorite things
spread out on the table
welcome me home

Nicole Wells (6)

33

staring at his photo
I know his spirit
watches over me

34

a forgotten grave
in a cemetery
full of marigold petals

Hannah Swan (4)

35

eve of day of the dead
I prepare the food for
my lost loved ones

36

Day of the Dead
he feels her laugh
in the wind

Nicole Wells (7)

I see an old man standing over his wife’s grave. The gravestone is adorned with marigolds, sugar skulls, photos, and candles. He is catching her up on all the things happening in his life. Then, he starts reminiscing. He comes to a funny memory and starts to laugh as the wind blows. He shivers but then feels warm. The rustling of the leaves sounds just like her laugh. He feels her presence, and for the first time in a while, he no longer feels lonely. Emily Edwards, Fall 2025