Haiku Kukai 03 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • January 2023
1 I sit here Brad Spradlin |
2 as we say goodbye Brad Spradlin I think saying goodbye can be very hard for some people, including myself. Even though it can be difficult and sad, it can lead to so many new opportunities. I went through something like this last summer, and while it seemed like my world was ending, I was presented with a completely new and better life. Change is not always easy, but we have to step out of our comfort zone to change and grow as a person. Isabel Vincent, January 2023 I loved this haiku. It made me think of a couple that is going through a breakup after a long-term relationship, and now they must maneuver the world alone. It is because they got so used to each other’s company that living alone has become strange. The transition from we to I and the “I” in line 2 signified a state of independence. Perhaps their breakup was long overdue and hard, but it was the best thing for them both. On a personal note, when I close my eyes and recite this haiku, I think of the time I had to separate from my childhood best friend when I came to study in the United States. The world forced us to say goodbye, but fate brought us back 5 years later, and it was as if it were yesterday when we said goodbye. Larissa Olympe Senga, January 2023 |
3 sunset fades Trevor Voss I have loved watching sunsets for as long as I can remember. I enjoy taking each one in and admiring how they are all unique and beautiful in their own ways. I think watching sunsets is a great opportunity to spend time with someone and it is so relaxing. I have actually watched the sunset a few times with someone special and it is something simple yet it means so much to me. I could relate to this haiku so well and could imagine being in the moment. Isabel Vincent, January 2023 |
4 from our first breath |
5 bright lights |
6 fresh buzzcut! Ari Hughes |
7 phone turned over Coleman Klimek |
8 big smile Salat Al-Nurridin |
9 walk to the bathroom Salat Al-Nurridin |
10 6 am alarm Salat Al-Nurridin I enjoyed reading this haiku. It served the same purpose as a morning motivational speech to me. The person in the poem waking up early in the morning indicated commitment and motivation, as waking up early is a known good practice for our physical and mental health. The second line, “yoga and meditation,” signified self-care, finding the time to connect one-on-one with oneself on a physical and spiritual level. The last line: “what a beautiful morning.” It is as if the person is making positive affirmations and claiming a good day is ahead of them. I really enjoyed how positive and motivational this haiku is. Larissa Olympe Senga, January 2023 |
11 through the tunnel Coleman Klimek |
12 tracing shapes Coleman Klimek |
13 she blushes Lauren Adcock I liked how descriptive this haiku is and how it arouses our imaginative side. This poem reminds me of the romantic fantasy movies and telenovelas I would watch as a kid that all shared the same cliche storyline. where they either meet in the library or bump into each other and share 10 seconds of love at first sight. This haiku depicts the anxieties that come with having a crush through the last line, “pencil breaks.” This served as an indication to me that the girl might be shy when he looked at her, and that caused her to fidget with her pencil, leading to the pencil breaking. Larissa Olympe Senga, January 2023 |
14 climb up Conor Reynolds I enjoyed reading this haiku because it gave me kind of an adrenalin rush when I read it. I can imagine a mountain climber who is really high on the mountain and they are kind of frightened. It gave me a thrill because I am not a fan of heights and I can imagine myself doing that scared to death. Lauren Adcock, January 2023 |
15 napped half the day; Larissa Olympe Senga |
16 perfect lovers Larissa Olympe Senga I imagine a relationship that is tense, both parties have been working hard and they haven’t seen each other much. This goes on for a few weeks and they can feel themselves falling out of sync. One of them decides to take upon himself and plan a date night. You know, press refresh and get back in sync with his lover. |
17 first kiss Larissa Olympe Senga |
18 one step |
19 hot tea |
20 she stands alone Madison Foreman |
21 no service Madison Foreman I like this haiku because of how I can relate to this feeling when I am hiking or going on outdoor adventures. I have always loved going on hikes and traveling and being outdoors, and this feeling has come up for me many times where I am by myself or with friends with no service (never lost tho!), and feeling calm and at peace with just the world around me - the feeling of not being alone. Brad Spradlin, January 2023 |
22 camera flashes Madison Foreman I like this haiku because I think it represents our society so well. Social media gives everyone the opportunity to pretend to be someone they are not. It is so easy for people to put on a fake smile and act like they have a perfect life, when in reality it is far from that. I think this haiku really shows how smiling in a picture is not always an accurate representation of what is really going on in someone's life. Isabel Vincent, January 2023 I enjoyed reading this haiku because it kind of reminded me that not everything you see on social media is true. You never know what someone is going through and just because they are smiling doesn’t mean that they are happy. I think that this haiku was a good reminder to check up on people and not believe what you see on the internet. Lauren Adcock, January 2023 |
23 our first date Addi Sargent This haiku makes me laugh because I think back to times I have tried going on dates and how awkward they can be, especially when you don't want to be there in the first place! So reading this I can only imagine how uncomfortable the situation must be for one if not both parties involved. Brad Spradlin, January 2023 I loved this haiku. It makes me think of movies that I have watched in the past where couples go on first dates. You never know if you are going to hit it off or if it going to eb a complete mistake, so it is always important to have an exit strategy. This haiku makes me think of a couple whose date isn’t going quite as they would’ve hoped. She is looking for a way to politely escape the date without making a scene. Going into your first date make sure you have a backup plan in case things aren’t what you imagined. Charly Warlow, January 2023 |
24 shoot, dribble, pass Charly Warlow |
25 stomach turning Charly Warlow |
26 back to school |
27 a bottle of wine Addi Sargent I liked reading this haiku because it reminds me of my grandma. She doesn’t drink very much, but when she does she prefers a glass of wine. Now that I am able to drink with her, it is nice to sit and chat over a glass of wine. I like to remind myself that it is the little things in life that matter and to take every opportunity you can to spend time with your loved ones. Lauren Adcock, January 2023 |
28 lunch with grandma Isabel Vincent My grandma is one of my best friends in the world and this haiku made me think of her. My grandparents live in Florida now so the time we get to spend together is a lot less than it used to be. I recently visited her and the pure excitement on her face as she greeted us at the airport is something I never want to forget. We spent the whole week together trying new restaurants and doing things that we both love. The bond that my grandma and I have is irreplaceable. Charly Warlow, January 2023 |
29 sunny day |
30 my final show Ari Hughes |
31 balanced hands on knees Ari Hughes |
32 thanksgiving dinner— Ari Hughes |
33 bees buzzing Ari Hughes |
34 highschool sweethearts Lauren Adcock This haiku made me think of my parents. My parents were high school sweethearts and I admire the strong foundation of their relationship and the family that they have built. They have recently celebrated 20 years of marriage and 30 years of being together. My grandparents however have been together for over 50 years, and I remember the huge celebration that we had for them. Even though I don’t have a high school sweetheart I aspire to have relationship like both my grandparents and parents have. Charly Warlow, January 2023 |
35 talking with grandpa Lanie Bacon This past weekend I took my daughter to meet my grandmas, and it was a bittersweet experience. This haiku explains some of my thoughts from the trip perfectly. Growing up, trips to see my grandmas always included having a talk with my grandpas at some point. Fast forward to today and both of them are gone. I have been missing those conversations lately, but I had to realize I’ve had the conversations with them I was suppose to and they’ll be with me forever. Salat Al-Nurridin, January 2023 |
36 smoke rolls Lauren Adcock I enjoy the image my mind paints when I read this haiku. I can really see the smoke uncurling off of somebody’s tongue after they take a drag of a cigarette. I can see this character talking to a new woman they met at a bar and her whispering things to him. It evokes a sense of romance and mystery in me that I might feel when I watch a dramatic romance movie. This haiku gives you a perfect image as well as words that evoke an action happening. Ari Hughes, January 2023 |
37 bright lights shine |
38 50th birthday Lauren Adcock |
39 cleaning up my mess Lanie Bacon |
40 at my first dance |
41 sleeping Addi Sargent This haiku made me groan with agreement because I truly struggle to sleep every single night. I have diagnosed insomnia and sleep is always something that I struggle with getting enough of. I lay up at night wondering what my health would be like if I was easily able to get to sleep and stay asleep each night. It would greatly help my energy and ability to function everyday without caffeine or something like that to keep me going. This haiku just represents lots of people who struggle to sleep and lose a lot of their health that way. Ari Hughes, January 2023 |
42 you wear your gloves Coleman Klimek |
43 out of tune Coleman Klimek |
44 his arms Isabel Vincent |
45 kicking the ball Charly Warlow I like this haiku because it is easy for me to imagine happening. My dog loves to play, but he hates balls he can’t fit in his mouth. So he will bark and run most of the time. Occasionally, he will follow behind as long as the ball isn’t kicked in his direction. Salat Al-Nurridin, January 2023 |
© 2023, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.