Haiku Kukai 02 Favorites

Global Haiku • Millikin University • January 2023

1

the pebble beach
waiting for the tide
a fresh start

Brad

This is a lighthearted haiku, and it brings me to a space of tranquility. “the pebble beach” I can see the water hit the colorful pebbles and swish is way to my feet. The second line reminds me of a time when I was still little and I couldn’t swim so I would as time the tides as they came towards me on the shore, and I’d jump as they pushed up before flatting out. On another note, this line made me think of waiting for the tide as, expecting a renewal and turning over a new leaf. Another thing I enjoyed and found intriguing was the transition from the second to the third line, “waiting for the tide / a fresh start” this gives an ambience of new beginnings. It is as if aside from all the beauty of the scenery, there’s is something much deeper and rewarding at the end of it all. Larissa Olympe Senga, January 2023

2

snow day
snow angels
hot cocoa

Jake Faragalli

I enjoyed this haiku. It really took me back to my childhood. I remember playing in the show for hours with my family, making snow angles and coming in for hot co- co after hours of playing. Felling my ice-cold feet de thawing from a long day of play. Addi Sargent, January 2023

I think this haiku stuck out to me as one of my favorites because it reminds me of a simpler time with my sisters. Growing up, snow days were few and far between at my school as our superintendent never liked to cancel school. I remember all the surrounding schools would have a snow day, but we would still have to sit in class. There was one day though that we got so much snow my sisters and I got all bundled up and went out to play with the dogs. I can hear the laughter I my dogs are so excited that they were tackling us. We had so much fun throwing snowballs, making snow angles, and pulling the sled around. When we were done, we came inside to mugs of hot chocolate piled with whip cream sitting on the counter. Charly Warlow, January 2023

3

sitting and waiting
bait on the hook
fish on!

Trevor

This haiku transported me to summers as a child. We used to wake up super early to prepare fishing poles and start fishing before the sun was too high. Fishing days would feel so long but super rewarding. The last line captures the excitement and energy associated with catching a fish. Salat Al-Nurridin, January 2023

4

narrow minded
telescope
restricted space

Jake Faragalli

5

king of queens
pixels
mall cop

Trevor Voss

6

winter frost
covers the trees
fog sets in

Trevor Voss

7

the bells ring
for the Platinum Jubilee
it’s the Queen

8

the ice cracks
walking over the pond
the shock . . .

Brad Spradlin

I also liked the haiku number 8 because it is talking about walking out on a frozen pond and the ice not quit being thick enough. I like this one because I have had some experience with ice skating on the ponds when it gets cold enough for the ice to freeze thick enough to skate on. It is not unheard of for the ice to crack in certain sports considering the sharp blades on the frozen ice. Trevor Voss, January 2023

9

cloudy thoughts
hiking through hills
a silver lining

Jake Faragalli

I like this haiku because of the juxtaposition with the silver lining. I remember going on many hikes throughout my life and seeing many different places and things and always feeling the moment of relief and joy when we would arrive at our destination. To me that was always the silver lining of any hike that I would go on whether it was a long or short hike or even just a trip down a familiar trail it was always so satisfying to see the destination on the horizon line. While the silver lining may not have been anything more than just the final destination it was also about the memories created with friends and family when we would go hiking. Over the years my family and I would go on different hiking trails all throughout the state of Arkansas which was always one of my favorite things because we don’t really have much of that here in Illinois. Especially during COVID as well, my friends and I would all meet up and we would go on hikes to different waterfalls or water springs and swim, it was really one of the highlights of the pandemic. I also really enjoyed the beginning of this poem with “cloudy thoughts” and how the meaning of this poem doesn’t have to relate to a physical hike but rather a mental hike. Mentally struggling and climbing over different hills to overcome different obstacles in life to finally reach the silver lining at the other side. This was one of the other meanings I read during this poem. Brad Spradlin, January 2023

10

form fitting sundress
floral perfume . . .
bit my lip

11

rock and pat
deep sigh
finally sleep

12

oven preheat
grease the pan
sugar or choc chip

Salat Al-Nurridin

I really enjoyed this haiku as it took me to a time when I was making cookies in the kitchen with my mom. Since I am in college now, I don’t spend as much time at home as I used to. When I do get to come home during the holidays my mom and I always make cut out sugar cookies for the specific holiday. Making cookies has become one of our new favorite hobbies and sometimes we make up “holidays” so that we have an excuse to make cookies. Charly Warlow, January 2023

13

planting flowers
children run
through the yard

Charly Warlow

14

farmhouses
dreaming
maybe one day

Charly Warlow

I loved this haiku. I too dream to one day live in a big farmhouse on my family’s property. I enjoy dreaming about the days of settling down and building my dream house and creating a life with my family. Addi Sargent, January 2023

Since I was young, I have always wanted to live in a farmhouse one day. With a wrap-around porch, open land, and dogs roaming freely around the yard. I have always imagined the beautiful sunrises and sunsets I would be able to watch while living out in the country. It has always been a dream of mine and anytime I see one, I imagine having my own one day down the road. Isabel Vincent, January 2023

15

squirrels run
dogs bark
stuck inside the fence

Charly Warlow

I instantly thought of my dog. His name is Static and he is a character. He loves to play and is super loving but he will chase a squirrel or rabbit like he has open space to catch them. The whole event of watching him try to catch when they know he’s stuck in the fence is hilarious to me because my dog doesn’t seem to care. Salat Al-Nurridin, January 2023

16

mother and daughter
laughter and tears
she sits alone

Madison Foreman

When I close my eyes and recite this haiku, I can picture a young girl witnessing a wonderful mother and daughter relationship. “mother and daughter / laughter and tears” This depicts a beautiful relationship filled with both pain and love. To me the tears symbolizes pain, but rather the beauty in pain when you have someone to go through it with, unlike the girl that is alone. The last line takes a more despondent feel to it, “she sits alone” this could be an indication that the little girl in question probably wishes for the same mother and daughter bond as the she is witnessing while sitting alone. Larissa Olympe Senga, January 2023

This particular haiku took me back to when I was a really little kid. I had this rocking chair that my mom would sit in with me on her lap. It was my favorite thing to do to relax and I usually ended up falling asleep. The warm comfort I would feel when my mom was holding me was brought into my body by this haiku. It really gives you a sense of being rocked to sleep. Ari Hughes, January 2023

17

looking out
wishing for warmth . . .
back to reality

Madison Foreman

Summer has always been my favorite season. During the winter I find myself waiting for summer and being able to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. I am happier during the summer and there are so many activities to enjoy when it is warm outside. On the cold, gloomy winter days I look out the window and wish I could see the blue skies and the bright sun but quickly snap back to reality. Isabel Vincent, January 2023

18

the bright sun
reflects off the water
I weep

19

dinner with grandma
ice cream for dessert
every time

Isabel Vincent

20

cupcake
I wonder what it will be
damn, another brother

Isabel Vincent

21

bright lights
awaiting the results
holy shit I won

Isabel Vincent

22

coffee
there when I need it
there when I don’t

Addi Sargent

For starters, I don’t like coffee, however when reading this poem I began to think of all the other things that could take the place of the word coffee and that is when I really began to love this haiku. I was thinking about all of the words that could be swapped out with the word coffee and I began thinking about other things like food or drinks or even margaritas (which is always my go to drink). Then I began thinking about different people like my parents or friends or even romantic partners and how each of these specific people fit the message of this poem as well. I then began to realize that it wasn’t just the changing of the word ‘coffee’ that made me like this poem but it was the universal truth of what coffee means to the individual. How each individual person living in the world would have a different reaction to this poem based on what their ‘coffee’ is. In my opinion this is one of the most universal haikus that we have read in class and it is really interesting to think about all of the different ways this could be read or interpreted depending on who's reading it. Brad Spradlin, January 2023

23

music festival
a group of friends
at the food trucks

Lauren Adcock

This haiku reminded me of this past summer when I went to a music festival with one of my friends. It was easily one of the most fun times I have ever had and it is full of so many unforgettable memories. Trying the food at the various food trucks is fun and it is always so good. I have always enjoyed hearing new music and artists and music festivals are perfect for that. I will never forget screaming my favorite songs while seeing some of my favorite artists with people that I am close with. Isabel Vincent, January 2023

I love this haiku. I have a pretty core friend group who I adore and my favorite thing is to go to planned events with them like this. We go to fairs, musical festivals, plays, and so much more together and it's always so joyful. This haiku gives me the same joy I feel when I am with my friends. I like the last line and I can see the group of friends laughing about some inside jokes as they wait to order tacos at a food truck. Ari Hughes, January 2023

24

late stressful nights
up studying
it never seems to end

Addi Sargent

This haiku reminds me of the stress that school brings, specifically last semester. Last semester I took 21 credits and I never felt like I got a break. I would take a test in one class and then have one in another shortly after it. I felt like I was always studying and no matter how many tests I took, it seemed like it was never ending. Charly Warlow, January 2023

I like this haiku because I think that this is something that a lot of students can relate to. Sometimes for me, life gets in the way and I am forced to stay up late to study. Those nights seem to be never-ending and almost like the clock never moves. When these nights do happen, it is very stressful. So, I like this haiku because I can feel the stress from those nights when I am reading it. I can feel the dread of waiting last minute to study. I can see myself sitting in my room alone, while everyone else is asleep upstairs.

Another one I really liked was number 24 because I am currently in my last semester of college, and it does not seem to ever end. Assignment after assignment over and over again learning about different stuff every day and writing about them makes me wonder when it will ever stop. Trevor Voss, January 2023

25

snow falls
onto my eyelashes
cars going too fast

Lauren Adcock

26

beautiful sunset
in the distance
good for the soul

Addi Sargent

For this final poem I really wanted to write about one that I had a personal connection with. About 10 years ago my aunt and uncle moved out to the Cayman islands and I remember hearing about how cool it was and how amazing the beaches and the sunsets were and I remember always wanting to go and visit. A couple of years go by and I get a text from my aunt and uncle saying that for my high school graduation present they would fly me out to the Caymans for two weeks and I remember being so excited about it. The first couple of days were amazing. We spent all day at the beach and did a number of different things around the island but one of the best things from the trip was watching the sunset come in over the top of the ocean and seeing all of the bright and vibrant colors that created the beauty of the setting sun. Watching the sunset was one of my favorite things to do while I was visiting because of how different each sunset was and the feeling of peace that came along with it. I also recall hearing stories of the sunsets from some of the locals on the island and being amazed by how even the locals still loved watching the sunset. There was even a story that my aunt once told me that if you watch the sunset carefully and without blinking you can see a flash of green light over the horizon and that it was an old Caymanian fable that anyone who saw the green light would have luck for life. Brad Spradlin, January 2023

This haiku reminds me of a specific spring break trip I took to Surf City, North Carolina with my close friends. We spent the whole week at an oceanside apartment and watched many sunsets on the beach. I loved this experience with my friends and it is one of my core memories. I really like the last line “good for the soul” because that is exactly how this spring break trip felt. It was so therapeutic. Ari Hughes, January 2023

27

black ice
going down sidewalks
pay attention

Lauren Adcock

One of my favorite ones is number 27 the reason why I like this is because I have personally fallen on black ice a few times and it hurts every time. Although these are not good memories, I like that it also stands for more than just black ice it is a metaphor for like because it shows even if you do not see the danger you have to pay attention and keep an eye out for danger. Trevor Voss, January 2023

28

he throws a pebble
skipping over the calm creek
friends in the forest

Ari Hughes

29

chicken again
drive for hours
Atlanta by night

30

the lions wait out front
music
laughs and cheers

31

water dripping
wet hair
mirror fogged

32

snow melting
the trees are dead
winter blues

Ari Hughes

33

on an adventure
we stop at Starbucks for warmth
hold hands on the walk

34

so much love to give
no reception is found
all alone again

Lanie Bacon

35

some snow is still left
most of the ground is bare
Christmas fades away

36

trotting along with
the whispering wind in my ear,
i keep going

Lanie Bacon

37

dark clouds
it falls with quiet beauty
unforeseen Comfort . . .

38

gasps of fresh air
the only time I escape
is when I fall asleep

Larissa Olympe Senga

39

long walk
fresh air . . .
mental reboot

Addi Sargent

I really enjoyed this haiku because I feel like it is a good reminder for people to take long walks, get fresh air, and reset themselves. Sometimes I need to take a break from school and get away from all the chaos, so I go for a walk. Getting a breath of fresh air to reset your mind is probably one of the best things that someone can do for themselves. With this haiku, there can be so many ways the reader can perceive it. Why does the person need a long walk? Where are they walking? How long is their walk? What are they sensing?

Unlike the girls in class who use this to reset between assignments, this is how I like to start my day. Get up as the sun is rising and take my dog for a walk. The fresh air first thing in the morning jump starts my morning and sets the tone for the day. When I miss that morning walk I definitely notice. Salat Al-Nurridin, January 2023

40

the baby bouncing
long car ride with family
we stop at Wendy’s

Ari Hughes

I like this haiku because of the message it gives the reader. I can see the baby bouncing in the car seat because of the bumpy road. I can see a whole family piled into a minivan that is either going or coming from vacation. I remember going on family trips like this and we would stop for fast food and to go to the bathroom. Then, we would all pile back into the car and continue our long journey. My family goes to Florida or Alabama once a year, so this haiku reminds me of those 12+ hour car rides.

41

family pictures
dogs and cats
together

Charly Warlow

42

longing for
the light to return
inside and out

Brad Spradlin

Longing for light to return haiku I enjoyed. I connected with this because I feel like longing for the light to return has multiple meanings. This could mean waiting for the days to become longer and feeling more whole and fuller as the day light becomes longer, meaning the longer the days are the better you feel. Addi Sargent, January 2023

43

waiting for the show
the lights begin to dim
dancing queen begins

Brad Spradlin

44

mother dying
we are responsible
time to take action

Conor Reynolds

45

culture
who says
it has to be this way

Conor Reynolds

I love this haiku because it asks the begging question on culture and “the norms” in a society. Initially when I read the first line, “culture” this took me back to my culture in Rwanda, where I can see the Rwandan “Intore Dance,” and imvutano which is the traditional attire mainly worn at weddings and other traditional festivals. As a person who has lived in 4 different countries across nations, I have enjoyed the pleasure of witnessing different cultures and appreciating the fact that even if you’re born in a certain culture, it doesn’t have to be that way everywhere you go. Larissa Olympe Senga, January 2023


© 2023, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.