Haiku Kukai 01 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • January 2025
1 scratches at the door Lucas Wallen This haiku really hit home for me due to the fact that I have a dog. Due to the harsh cold conditions that we are facing this winter, I find myself coming home from a hard days work letting my dog out hearing her, scratch at the door and not having the energy to want to get up and let her back in. So this one was funny for me, because of how realistic it is. I find myself looking at my girlfriend or even my kids to let the dog in and they stare right back at me the same look they're waiting for me to let her in. Any pet is a very big responsibility, especially the older you get with the long hours that you work. We love our pets. They are just like family, but sometimes the responsibility of having a pet and being a pet owner will drain you. I was glad to read this haiku and know that I am not the only pet owner out there that feels this way. Brandon Johnson, January 2025 I like this one. It reminds me of being at home with my boyfriend. He lives two hours away in my hometown. We have been together for almost 5 years. We have two cats, and I have probably lived this exact moment of the haiku when one of our cats wants to join us to sleep in bed. Emma Cox, January 2025 |
2 snowman in the yard Abby Heberling |
3 sleeping family Abby Heberling This haiku reminds me of my childhood. Whether it’s a holiday like Christmas or my brother and I’s birthday, I can remember being in my bed anxious to get the day started. Excited to open presents or enjoy whatever my mom had planned to celebrate our birthday. I am instantly reminded of that feeling when reading this haiku. Nathaniel Straughter, January 2025 I especially love this one as I can relate to it no matter the context, yet it also makes me think of Christmas Eve, before everyone wakes up the next day, hence the “chaos.” The picture this paints in my head is very peaceful, tranquil yet the anticipation of the morning is another immense feeling and nice juxtaposition to the first two lines. Especially growing up, my sister’s and I would have to wait upstairs until my mom said it was “time for Christmas to start” and this haiku brought me right back to those moments and memories of just being full of joy and excitement for the holiday. It also makes me think of how we would read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” every year before bed, truly a sweet, nostalgic, and reminiscent haiku to me. Eli Bland, January 2025 The sleeping family represents purity, security, and a brief period of harmony and serenity. Sleep is frequently associated with both tranquility and vulnerability. The peaceful house is a metaphor for the mental and physical calm that exists before the stresses of the day or life's obstacles take over. It highlights the brittleness of tranquility and conjures up a sense of shelter. Whether it's the hustle and bustle of a hectic day, the unpredictable nature of family life, or the difficulties of the outside world, chaos is inevitable. This statement reminds us to treasure peaceful moments because they are fleeting. Brittney Spalding, January 2025 |
4 grandpa and I still awake |
5 old band t-shirts Lucas Wallen I honestly just really love the vibe of this poem, i cant really form a full narrative but this poem makes me feel complex feelings. It makes me think of my middle school emo phase, it makes me think of protests, it makes me think of joy and embracing differences. Andalyn Hodge, January 2025 I have a specific tie-in to this one in particular, as well. The majority of my t-shirts are band shirts, I love them because it’s a way for me to express my music taste. My girlfriend gave me a Megadeth shirt that has bleach stains around the collar and on the shoulders from when she dyed her hair around the time we met in high school choir. It’s very meaningful to have something that ties me back to the days of when we first crushed on each other. Due to its permanent physical alteration, it’s truly one of a kind. I’ve also gotten into Megadeth because of her and she’s inspired me to expand my music catalog in general. Music is a paramount feature of my life, which adds to the importance of the shirt, and the connection to this haiku. Lance Frederick, January 2025 |
6 thin red lines |
7 Amalfi coast Kendra Marnul |
8 shouts arise Emma Cox |
9 goggles on Kendra Marnul |
10 icy roads Emma Cox |
11 short grass Kendra Marnul |
12 December begins Emma Cox I imagine that for the narrator untangling and hanging Christmas lights is a part of family holiday traditions. I enjoyed this haiku because I can imagine being outside in the cold night untangling lights to be put up for the winter. The lights are fluorescent and have a yellow hue, there is a layer of snow on the grass and its cold out. I like how in a few words I can deduce so much from the poem, triggering emotions of my own family traditions. Ashleigh Johnson-Jones, January 2025 |
13 frosted windows— Brittney Spalding This is one of the two favorite haikus from Kaukai 01. When reading it, I can see myself with a group of my friends outside our porch smoking cigars and having a glass of whiskey on a cold night during the weekend. We would watch our breath blow huge clouds of smoke from the cigars and the cold weather and just have a great time talking about anything from life experiences to talking shit to each other and laugh about it. It would be so cold that our windows outside looked foggy and icy. Aaron Alonzo Amaya, January 2025
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14 open book Brittney Spalding Reading is definitely one of my favorite activities and I get my love of literature from my grandmother who is sadly no longer alive. I can vividly picture going through her belongings and seeing the book she had yet to finish, dog eared waiting to be picked back up. I can imagine her laughing to herself while reading and those memories come rushing back when I see books she enjoyed reading. I also deeply relate to the feelings of elation that reading can bring. Lucas Wallen, January 2025 This haiku evokes a sense of nostalgia and warmth. The image of an open book with laughter echoing through the margins suggests a shared moment of joy and connection. It brings to mind memories of reading with a loved one, where the stories come alive with their laughter and presence. The margins of the book symbolize the spaces where memories and emotions linger, making the experience of reading more intimate and personal. This haiku makes me think of cozy afternoons spent reading with my best friend. We would sit together, sharing our favorite passages and laughing at the funny parts. Her laughter would fill the room, making the stories even more enjoyable. The book became a treasure trove of memories, with her laughter echoing through the pages long after we had finished reading. Dalton Hoadley, January 2025 This brings me back to when we would have to take AR tests for books we finished in grade school. We had this one girl in my class who was special needs, she carried her joy like a mask and made sure we all could see. We were having quiet reading time one day and I guess a part in her book was funny because she was laughing hysterically, which made the rest of the class begin laughing. This makes me feel regret for the forgotten joys of my childhood. Jake Reed, January 2025 |
15 lost in the fields Brandon Johnson This is the second Haiku that is my favorite from the Kaukai 01. When reading it, I see sadness but at the same time joy and pride. There are times where I have been lost and did not know what to do especially after failing. However, that has not stopped me and after trying again and again and again, I finally succeeded and could feel joy and pride and everyone that told me that I could. Aaron Alonzo Amaya, January 2025 |
16 freedom of speech Brandon Johnson |
17 looking out the window Brandon Johnson |
18 cold night walk— Brittney Spalding I can imagine walking in the park at night after a fresh snowstorm. I imagine that the snow crunches loudly because there is a layer of ice forming over top. I can imagine the peaceful silence that comes from a walk at night. I really liked this poem because we just experienced a snowstorm, and I was able to relate to the experiences of the narrator. Ashleigh Johnson-Jones, January 2025 I love the ambiguity yet specificity of this haiku. The descriptive words like crunch and echoes really help to illustrate and visualize the meaning and circumstance surrounding the poem and makes my mind wander and theorize of the “secret” being discussed. Maybe you snuck out when you weren’t supposed to? Maybe the conversation they’re having on the walk is secretive or gossip-like? A lot to ponder with this one while also being very sensory and intriguing. Eli Bland, January 2025 I chose this as one of my two favorites because it puts me into a distinct memory. As part of a yearly tradition, my two best friends and I go out into the woods of Rochester Community Park. We explore and engage in teenage boy activities (even though they’re 20 and I’m 21) like downing dead tree stumps and making swing sets out of hanging branches. This memory in particular was of December 28th, 2022. We crossed a frozen river in the beginning of our journey. The sun was out and the weather was progressively warming up. After we had been out for a couple hours, we headed back at a different section of the river. My friend Denver was in the lead and I was in the middle. I was carrying a stick and decided to discard it, so I through it several feet in front of me. I noticed the stick did not thud or skid across the ice. It splashed. In that moment, Denver collapses through the thin ice and sinks like a brick. One blink of an eye in this moment felt like a minutes. He then surfaces and struggles to get atop the ice. Darius and I issue commands to guide him to safety but Denver calls out to help him. I scurry across the ice and kneel down to pull him out. Darius and I usher him to dry land and give him out outer layers. Denver looked into my eyes and told me I saved his life, and I almost cried in that moment. As we walk back to our parked cars, we say “none of this reaches our moms.” That was our secret that eventually got leaked to both of their moms, anyway. We even took a selfie on a large tree branch within minutes of the incident. It’s one of those “pictures taken moments before disaster,” and that will definitely come up during Denver’s wedding. Lance Frederick, January 2025 |
19 Chicago lights Andalyn Hodge I love this one for how simple it is but yet so telling. I don't know if it was intended but it reminds me of Chicago at Christmas time. I had the opportunity to go sightseeing around Christmas time with friends 3 years ago and it was so awesome. We went to the Christmas tree in Millennial Park, and I have never seen a bigger or more beautiful Christmas tree. Emma Cox, January 2025 |
20 put a record on Eli Bland |
21 the snowman Eli Bland |
22 snowed in Eli Bland |
23 little orange kitten Andalyn Hodge |
24 she holds his hand Andalyn Hodge As a parent or older sibling, small things such as holding a young child’s hand crossing the street, or picking out their outfits in the morning, become so normal and expected, that when the day comes where they stop needing/wanting to hold their hand or start dressing themselves; it’s a reminder that time is moving fast and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. A small slap of reality. Nathaniel Straughter, January 2025 The same story told by every parent ever. One day they are dropping hteir kids off on the first day of kindergarten, the next day it is college move in. There are small, subtle things children do when they begin to age, and it begins with gaining independence. Things like wanting to walk alone or do things on their own. This haiku does a great job of sharing that experience that many parents feel. Miamaya Parra, January 2025 |
25 first day of class Tionne Spates This was another haiku that hit close to home due to the fact that my son transition from a public school into a private school going into high school. I can just imagine the feeling he felt showing up to school on the first day, not recognizing any of the faces and having to make all new friends. But it was very honorable of him to leave his hometown and all his friends to move up north and attend school in route to pursue his dreams of playing football. In the beginning, it can feel like you're staring at all the wrong faces, but after a couple weeks and firm handshakes those wrong faces seem we start to become the right faces. The feeling of starting over or new beginnings can sometimes feel like one the same. Not knowing the outcome of your future can be a very scary and dark time moving into a new environment and not having the same friends can be seen as a culture shock but if you're willing to, fight through adversity, the blessings could come in abundance. Brandon Johnson, January 2025 |
26 rush in the house Tionne Spates |
27 we come back home Lance Frederick |
28 the sled becomes airborne Lance Frederick
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29 beard coarsely grown Lance Frederick |
30 bus of students Tionne Spates This one reminded me of the last bus ride home of the last day of school. When everyone is talking and yelling full of summer excitement talking about all the exciting summer plans they are going to make with each other. Windows down on the bus and you can hear the excitement of the children down the street. No one is sitting in their seat the entire bus ride. Kids yelling out the window as their friends exit the bus and the bus drives away. Kendra Marnul, January 2025 |
31 snowy night sitting Aaron Alonzo Amaya |
32 wood burning oven |
33 snowflakes hit my tongue Ashleigh Johnson-Jones This haiku captures a moment of childlike wonder and longing. The sensation of snowflakes hitting the tongue brings back memories of winter days spent playing in the snow. The wish to be a snowflake, "falling, free, and pure," reflects a desire for simplicity and freedom, unburdened by the complexities of life. It evokes a sense of yearning for innocence and the beauty of nature. This haiku reminds me of snowy days when I would run outside, trying to catch snowflakes on my tongue. The cold, delicate flakes would melt instantly, leaving a fleeting taste of winter. I would look up at the sky, watching the snowflakes dance and fall, wishing I could be as free and pure as they were. It was a moment of pure joy and a reminder of the simple pleasures in life. Dalton Hoadley, January 2025 I see a teenage girl standing outside in the middle of winter. It is a snow storm and she is going through something. Something significant enough to make her want to go outside to clear her mind in the middle of a snowfall. She is all bundled up and is thinking about everything going on. Then, she begins to look at the snowflakes and wish her life could be as peaceful as the snow falling from the sky. Abby |
34 continuous noise Nathaniel Straughter |
35 rented suit Nathaniel Straughter |
36 watching you grow Ashleigh Johnson-Jones This poem makes me think of my brother. He has been my shadow since I can remember and, unfortunately for our relationship, I just started being okay with that the last 5 years. He turns 16 years old this summer and I feel like I have missed out on his childhood due to my unwarranted anger toward him. Jake Reed, January 2025 |
37 snowy night Dalton Hoadley |
38 slamming of door Jake Reed |
39 seen across the mall Dalton Hoadley |
40 hot and burning Jake Reed This is a great example of how we love the things that hurt us. No matter how spicy we will continue to eat something because we find it enjoyable. But for me this specific haiku transports me to a bite of a chicken wing that is so hot but so good you can't not eat it. The spice hits you almost immediately but it's so worth it because it is so good. Miamaya Parra, January 2025 |
41 break is over |
42 there is snow |
43 survival Gracie Cleeton This reminds me of every time I go back to school sadly. I never want to leave home to head back. Each semester it would get harder and harder. When I was younger I wanted to be away but now I find my self wanting to stay close to home. The term "survival" establishes a tone of tenacity by implying that the person has faced obstacles or adversities, whether they be situational, emotional, or physical. "Tears rolling down" is a metaphor for unfiltered emotion, which could be relief, sadness, or even a mixture of hope and fear. It conveys the fragility of embracing change or conquering obstacles. The word "back to school" grounds the haiku in a particular setting—the return to regularity, growth, or normalcy following a challenging time. It could represent rebirth, a new beginning, or the bravery to resume life after a difficult period. Brittney Spalding, January 2025 |
44 in haunted halls Lucas Wallen |
45 suitcase on the floor Miamaya Parra |
46 winds speaks Miamaya Parra |
47 winter night . . . Gracie Cleeton |
48 spring wind lifts the kite |
49 growing so fast Brandon Johnson This haiku uses imagery to discuss ideas of personal growth and development. This poem could refer to the growth of a child, but I applied it to the growth of myself in adolescence. Time moves fast as you grow, however, it is important to take your time and not rush the process. Ashleigh Johnson-Jones, January 2025 |
50 three stooges Randy Brooks |
51 group selfie Brittney Spalding |
52 tail flicks in my face Emma Cox This literally happened to me earlier today as my cats can be quite needy, especially before they get fed in the morning. I am reasonably sure that if you tested most of the food and drink I have consumed there would be some amount of cat hair in them. This scene is very cozy to me because I love my cats, and their attention genuinely make my mornings better. Cats being all over you is just incredibly relatable to me and this happens to me as I sip coffee and play on my phone. Lucas Wallen, January 2025 This one is just so vivid, I can feel the cat fur on my lips and taste the coffee on my tongue. I imagine a woman who works from home, she does something technical, but still artsy, something like graphic design. She brews her own coffee, she has a cat who loves attention. Andalyn Hodge, January 2025 When I picture this haiku, I see a girl in her twenties. She just woke up and is getting ready for work. She lives alone with a cat that she has had for a few years now. They have grown a close bond. She is at the sink putting makeup on while looking in the mirror. Alongside her makeup on the sink is a cup of coffee. Her cat jumps up and makes gestures to let the girl know it wants to be pet. She pets it, the cat’s tail goes in her face, and now she has the taste of cat as she sips the coffee. Abby Heberling, January 2025 |
53 white snow falling |
54 mother’s fresh cookies Abby Heberling |
© 2025, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
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