Haiku Kukai 02 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • June 2025
1 a tornado Maddy Hendricks I really like this Haiku because of its specific use of vocabulary before the tornado rips through the house. It's called a “home”. but after the tornadoes done it's work is considered just a “house”. I really like that at home is where you share family, memories, and safety. Corey Cebulski, June 2025 I like this one because it caused me to think literally about a tornado going through a house, but then, in the last line, I saw the house remains. I see this as a large conflict that had occurred within a family, but the home is still there. This can also be interpreted as a significant issue, but the family remains together. Chase Mirelez, June 2025 |
2 black dress Nevada Blake |
3 off the path Nevada Blake This haiku resonates with me because the path of the trail that usually leads to the best scenery is usually hidden. This can also be pertained to life as sometimes the path in life that leads to the most success is not the path we would think. Austin Nellessen, June 2025 |
4 mother's tears Maddy Hendricks |
5 the gusting wind Maddy Hendricks |
6 darkening clouds Nevada Blake This haiku reminds me of a girl who has had a bad day and decided to go on a walk. Before this walk, she doesn’t even think to check the weather. She just feels frustrated and knows that a walk can help to relive these feelings. As she walks away from her house, the weather starts to get colder and the clouds start to cover the sun. As this happens, the girl is oblivious. She doesn’t notice when the sidewalk starts to change colors. She doesn’t notice when the water starts to hit her skin. She doesn’t notice until the rain has become a complete downpour. Even then, she continues to walk. The rain feels nice to her and she feels that it help to wash away her bad day. Lydia Trump, June 2025 |
7 drops of rain Lydia Trump This reminds me of marching band, I did it for six years, no matter how many times it happened, I despised being out in the rain. The first of several reasons was because of wet shoes and socks, we brought extra pairs of socks but that didn’t do anything with the shoes. The next major reason was I am a woodwind, being out in the rain will damage them. So often times if it becomes heavier than a sprinkle our instruments go away but we remain out, if it is for a performance, we had to play no matter what. Owning multiple instruments was usually how we had to combat this, a good one for sit down band, and our garbage one for marching. No number of repairs and work can ever really fix that poor clarinet, but it serves its purpose. Nevada Blake, June 2025 |
8 in a crowded room Lydia Trump This one sums up my thoughts while I’m playing soccer. It’s not necessarily a “crowded room,” but it feels the same. I like when people come to watch me play. It makes me feel special. That these people are there just for me, cheering for me. I tend to look for my mom‘s face first. Because I know it will be there. Now when I do speeches for classes, I don’t have anyone in college that I know to look at while I’m nervous. But in high school I had my friends. You would think that they would make me want to laugh. It was actually very comforting. Alanna Smith, June 2025 I really like this Haiku because it breaks down how it feels to go to a party or a large gathering with a group of friends. if you end up losing one of your friends and nobody else in that crowd matters until you end up finding your friend. Corey Cebulski, June 2025 This takes me to a party or a festival where there are lots of people around. You can hear the 50 different conversations going on, the music, and the occasional scuffle. You try and find a path to get through, but you can’t due to the amounts of people there. I can see lines of drinks stacked up, piles of cans on the ground, and the different sections of people. I’m not much of a social person so this really spoke to me, I often find myself doing exactly what this haiku says. This made it very easy to imagine and connect with. Brock Trump, Summer 2025 This haiku captures a moment where, in a room with many people, I found myself looking for that one specific face. It’s a loud, chaotic environment with buzzing excitement surrounding me everywhere I go. Despite the loud noise and the crowd, my attention circles the room looking for that one specific person. That one person who can make my heart race and stop my world in an instant. I find myself hopeful that they will be there, even if I know for a fact they won’t. I hold onto the fact that I am still hopeful I will find the person I am looking for. Maddy Hendricks, June 2025 |
9 tulips fold shut Lydia Trump |
10 butterfly Tierra Cook I am always a fan of haiku that make a shape with the word structure. This one being a pyramid of sorts. This haiku also has excellent word choice that both allows me to create an image in my mind but also asks me a question. How many days? I feel like this is something that I haven’t thought about often when seeing butterflies in the past. It is both an interesting question, and a beautiful one that I wouldn’t have thought of unless the haikus author presented it to me. Kelson Bauman, June 2025 |
11 warm air Tierra Cook This haiku is one of my favorites, but I feel that I probably interpreted it differently than the writer intended. This haiku reminds me of track meets, but more specifically, running the 4x400 meter relay. Running this relay is one of the most exhilarating events of every meet. Standing on the track, the sun usually gone down, the air still warm, the tension on the track, the drive to win. There are so many emotions in the short 4 minutes that this relay takes place. The line “warm air” reminds me of the nights at track meets. The line “skintight” reminds me of the uniforms as they are form fitting and tight. The last line reminds me of being on the track and running as fast as I can to get the baton to the next runner. It reminds me of standing on the infield after running my leg and cheering for my teammates. This reminds me of watch the other runners and wanting them to get the baton to the last runner as fast as they can. It reminds me of the anticipation and fear after our last runner gets the baton and races to get to the finish line first. Lydia Trump, June 2025 |
12 looking Tierra Cook I am a huge fan of this haiku because it kind of makes the reader ask themselves a few questions while they are reading. Looking both ways twice and crossing with her in mind. Is the person that the person in the haiku talking about alright, and if so, what happened. I have found that haiku that are written like this force the reader to keep creating images and ideas after finishing the haiku, and this kind of inspiring haiku are some of the best to exist. Kelson Bauman, June 2025 |
13 hunched over Arianna Morris |
14 empty trail Brock Trump I like this haiku because I like to take walks sometimes. When I take walks, I find that I’m in a hurry and trying to rush the process, and because I know that's the opposite of why I’m taking a walk, I slow down and pay attention to the steps I'm taking. I make sure to feel how the ground absorbs into my steps each time and I also like the internal sound of my shoes hitting the pavement. In the haiku it sounds like the person is on a nature walk. empty trail makes it sound kind of scary, scary because footsteps filling the silence makes me think there is no other sign of life around them. Even if there were, it could be a wild animal and because the haiku is only made of these three lines, creating multiple endings to it is quite interesting to do. Tierra Cook, June 2025 The reason why I chose this Haiku was because I recently went hiking in Maine and it reminded me a lot of this. specifically the empty trails. a lot of times it's just you the sounds your feet make and the footsteps that have come before you to keep you company. Corey Cebulski, June 2025 |
15 hospital window Brock Trump This haiku grabbed me right away, there’s so much packed into these simple lines. A child in a hospital drawing a sun is both hopeful and heartbreaking. It made me think of how kids bring brightness even in the hardest places. The image stuck with me, you can almost see the crayon sun on the window, a little act of defiance against a sad situation. Sam Dalton, June 2025 This haiku paints a picture in my head reminiscent of sadness, and hopefulness intermingled with the quiet resilience of the human spirit. The hospital window sets a scene of confinement, hinting at illness or struggle, yet the child draws the sun, an act of defiance against sorrow. There’s something deeply moving about the simplicity of this gesture—an insistence on light even in the presence of uncertainty and dark times. The haiku contrast between the clinical setting and the child’s creativity emphasizes a longing for warmth, freedom, and optimism. It reflects how children, despite their circumstances, instinctively reach for hope. The act of drawing is not just an artistic choice, but a declaration that the sun still exists—even if it cannot be seen directly, or even if the light that the sun emits does not directly grace the child’s skin. This intertwining of sadness and hope makes the haiku especially beautiful . It speaks of resilience, the power of imagination to combat reality, and the unwavering ability to find light even in dark places. Jacob Bloom, June 2025 |
16 tires screeching Brock Trump |
17 a dog next to Arianna Morris This one is really sad to think about. It makes me think about the videos of veteran’s dogs sitting at their grave or sad at home, waiting for their owner to come back. Dogs can’t talk, but they know. I believe they can feel when their person leaves this earth. And it’s so sad because you can really explain to them what happened and that they didn’t want to leave them. They don’t get the concept of death, they just feel alone. Dogs can get heartbroken. Alanna Smith, June 2025 This is sad, because a lot of pets end up in the shelters or on the street after their owner’s passed. But at the same time, it is a nice change from most other poems on pets, where it was the pet who died not the human. Animals have a deeper understanding of death than we give them credit, so if I were to ever die before my pet, id have them see my body, so that they don’t think I just up and left them behind. Nevada Blake, June 2025 |
18 a gloomy bar Arianna Morris I like this one because the idea of the smell of popcorn filling the air in a gloomy bar creates a lot of contrast in my mind. Popcorn is usually a positive thing, or a smell that people associate with good times… sporting events, movie theaters, etc. When I imagine a gloomy bar, I think it is run down, empty with the ceiling caving in and scattered with puddles of water and gasoline for some reason. If I walked into that scene, l would find it strange to smell popcorn. The author using the word “wafts” makes me think the popcorn has just been made fresh, and I haven’t been to many bars, but I don’t think popcorn is a regular menu item to find at a bar. Tierra Cook, June 2025 |
19 empty ball field Sam Dalton |
20 empty ball field Austin Nellessen I really like this haiku as it reminds me of my career. Every time I visit a ball field, I reminisce about the numerous memories of myself playing baseball. Although the field is empty (my career) I still have love for the game (a single ball left in left field). Austin Nellessen, June 2025 |
21 hiking trail at dusk Austin Nellessen |
22 walk in the evening Austin Nellessen |
23 old kitchen clock Sam Dalton |
24 a folded blanket Sam Dalton I chose this one because I literally woke up from a nap right before doing this. I’m not normally a nap taker, but I was so tired from work. When I nap during the day, I get the weirdest, most real dreams. It almost feels like I’m awake. The dream is always set in the room I’m taking a nap in. Then weird things just happen, like scary things. And I can’t do anything about it, because I feel stuck. I’m not moving. But the haiku makes me think of how hard the nap was. Like, my nap was so needed, I just crashed and my blanket can tell. Alanna Smith, June 2025 |
25 two plates set Alanna Smith |
26 dull home Damyah Word I’m the youngest child in my family, I have one older sister. When my sister, Katy, graduated and moved out, there was a hole left in our home. I had always prepared myself for the day when we wouldn’t live together anymore, but nothing compares to when it happens. Our home becomes dull, and quiet without my older sister filling it with her humor and positivity. In a way, I felt as if I was an only child. I spent a lot of days alone when my parents were at work, when I was used to spending those days with her. I was alone once again. Maddy Hendricks, June 2025 This haiku is powerful. The first line of this haiku, “dull home,” makes me think that the child or children (based on interpretation) is what gives this home commotion, color, and energy. The second line, “the only child,” to me means that there is only one child at home, and the rest of the children are out and living their lives elsewhere. But I understand that this line indicates that the child is an “only child,” most likely, and there are no siblings to keep them company. The third line, “alone again,” paints a picture of sadness and isolation in my mind. This line meant two things to me: either that the only child feels happy and seen when their parents are home, or that they feel happy when their family (siblings and parents) are home. To me, this haiku holds weight and resonates with me because I am one of four children in a family of six. My sister and older brother are the only two children at home. My older brother has a full-time job, and my younger sister does not. She is often home alone, I'm sure that she gets lonely at times. At the conclusion of this summer, my oldest brother and parents will be all that remains in our home. I hope he doesn’t get lonely and feels a sense of solitude. Jacob Bloom, June 2025 |
27 fast traffic Damyah Word This haiku reminds me of the first time I drove in Chicago. People were driving wild they were honking, weaving, speeding like it was a race. And all around me were these massive, towering buildings, stretching up into the clouds. It was chaotic, but also beautiful it was like the city was alive and staring right back at me. Bravo Burora, June 2025 Although there were a lot of great deep haiku during this session, this one was very funny to me. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, and I can reaffirm that this is the feeling you get when visiting the city. Austin Nellessen, June 2025 |
28 early morning orange sky |
29 not too hot Alanna Smith This haiku reminds me of a time when the weather was just right, not too sunny, not too cold. The kind of day that feels made for being outside, running free on the pitch, playing soccer with my friends. I always wish for moments like that. Simple, perfect, and full of joy. Bravo Burora, June 2025 I absolutely love this haiku. I play soccer and it is very rare to have the perfect day to play, but when you do, it’s absolutely amazing. For me, the perfect day is a bright sunny day, but it’s not too hot because there’s a slight breeze. The sky is mostly clear, save for a few wispy clouds. It puts everyone in a good mood and makes the game so much better, no matter if we win or lose. Arianna Morris, June 2025 |
30 running so fast Alanna Smith I have a tendency to put a lot of pressure on myself. Not only do I hold myself to high standards, but my parents also do. I never want to let them down and cause them to be disappointed in me, which causes a lot of stress to be put on me. I take on so many tasks at a time that it feels like I am moving so quickly, I can’t stop. I have so many things to do and people to make proud that I have to move fast. When you run fast, it’s hard to catch your breath. When I move fast with all the things I have to do in my life, it feels like I can't catch my breath. I set so many goals for myself because I always want to be the best I can be, and keep beating my previous goals. Maddy Hendricks, June 2025 |
31 sun sets Jacob Bloom |
32 picking at scabs Chase Mirelez This haiku really hit me, I thought it was a very creative way to show how sometimes we can’t help but revisit old wounds. The physical image of picking at scabs works so well with the emotional idea of memories resurfacing. It’s raw and honest, and I think almost everyone can relate to this feeling in some way. Sam Dalton, June 2025 I can just imagine when I would always play outside and end up coming home with a cut. I can see scabs and cuts all down my legs. I can hear the sound of me falling, the wincing from picking the scab, and my mom telling me not to pick at it. I can smell the hydrogen peroxide used to clean it and the blood on the paper towels. As you sit there and pick the scab you think about the fun you were having and how you end up with the scab. This really sat with me because I try not to pick scabs anymore, so the old memories line really ties it in for me. I think as a kid you just want to do your thing but as you grow you learn more things and begin to trust others. Brock Trump, Summer 2025 This haiku has layers of meaning. The first line, “picking at scabs,” instantly brings me back to my childhood. It makes me envision elementary school and early middle school, after summer, into early fall, when I would be at school with many mosquito bites. I would itch the mosquito bites until they bled. Days later, they would scab over, then I would pick at the scabs to pass the time. Those scabs have now scarred and act as a constant reminder of my bad childhood habit. The second line, “old memories,” evokes emotions of longing, gladness, and potential sorrow. One may be happy these memories occurred, but may feel sorrow and longing that the memories are just that, in their head, and no longer occurring actively. The third line, “bleed through,” paints a vivid red color in my brain. I see crimson red and hues of lighter reds mixing together in my brain. This line ties the whole haiku together. It juxtaposes the idea of picking scabs and old memories by making something intangible, “old memories,” viscerally physical and tangible, “picking at scabs.” Just like how blood flows out of the open wound once the scab is removed, memories can be provoked once the trunk that confines them is opened or jarred loose. What I mean is that both can be caused to open up and expel their contents. Jacob Bloom, June This poem sounds like a metaphor for bad memories. Picking a scab can be painful, as remembering something hurtful in the past. Or it can feel like relief that it’s over, but it still lingers on the mind. Bleed through I think of this as something that happens very fast. It needs to be covered or stopped before it does a lot of damage. With it bleeding through the feeling can be stopped hints the scab but it will find a way to come back. Sound like being overwhelmed. Damyah Word, June 2025 |
33 cars wiz by Chase Mirelez I love this because it is split up into three different parts that I can identify. The first line creates the image of cars passing, and I imagine seeing them out of the peripheral of the eye. The picture is not clear, but it's the kind of passing where the cars are a fast blur of color coming and going. deep airy breath makes the tone of the haiku shift because we can tell the person is in an altered physical state, not in "factory settings.” Deep breathing can be the result of many things, so when I read the last line, it becomes clearer that the subject is running. I interpret it to be a run for sport, but maybe it could also be the act of running away or towards something, a run filled with anxiety? Tierra Cook, June 2025 |
34 dark desk
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35 I turn left I turn right Jacob Bloom |
36 bars built from your thoughts Jacob Bloom |
37 I feel red Alanna Smith This haiku reminds me of my boyfriend. I am someone who gets angered easily, being around my boyfriend helps me to keep my calm. When I am angry and I see him, I start to calm down. If I am angry and he knows, and I glance or look at him, he gives me a look that I know means to calm down and separate myself from the situation that is frustrating me. My boyfriend knows how I feel and knows how to help me calm down. Being around him is helpful for situations when I am easily frustrated. Lydia Trump, June 2025 I really enjoy the feelings that this haiku stirs up with its word choice. I feel red, what does that mean? To me I am interpreting that as maybe a little embarrassed or frustrated. Then with the second of the line the others introduce “he”; I feel like this word choice that vaguely describes who this person is but deeply describes who they are to the person in the poem is fantastic. Kelson Bauman, June 2025 |
38 video call ends Bravo Burora This haiku reminds me of this girl I'm currently talking to. She lives far away, so we always FaceTime. And every time the call ends, I feel this little wave of sadness hit me. It’s like the smile fades as soon as the screen goes dark, and i start missing her already, even though we just said goodbye. Bravo Burora, June 2025 |
39 Monday morning Bravo Burora Gives me flashbacks to high school, when I still had to take the bus, I was horrible at waking up early, I was even worse in middle school. I am a night owl, college has given me the ability to follow my natural sleep cycle, so sleeping through school is a thing of the past. Nevada Blake, June 2025 |
40 I wave goodbye Bravo Burora This haiku reminds me of the last time I was in Rwanda. I was heading back to school, standing at the airport near the check-in. I turned around, hoping to catch one last glimpse, to give one more goodbye wave, but they were already gone. That moment stuck with me. Bravo Burora, June 2025 |
41 a slow moving stream Austin Nellessen |
42 home from swimming Randy Brooks This haiku reminds me of summertime, when my cousins would come stay at my house. After a long day of fun in the water, I’d head to the shower and do that little jumpy dance, trying to shake the water out of my ears. It was silly, but it was part of the summer routine. I miss those carefree days. Bravo Burora, June 2025 This one was funny to me because I interpreted the bathroom dance as trying to shake out the excess water. Shaking from side to side, trying to get it out. I haven't had an ear ache from swimming or water stuck in my ear for a very long time. I liked the atmosphere it caused me to think about. Coming home feeling dried from the chlorine and sun. Chase Mirelez, June 2025 |
43 quiet prairie night Austin Nellessen This one takes me to a Sunday night at my grandparents after we’ve all had dinner. I can see the family all siting out on the patio as we have little conversations. I can smell the burgers and hotdogs that have been left for others to eat and the ice cream that has just been opened. After the conversations die down you begin to hear all the bugs making noise but of all the sound you hear the crickets and frogs. It’s been such a long day yet these crickets’ won’t ever stop making noise and the frog isn’t much better. I really liked this haiku because I can imagine the sounds in my head very easily as the cricket and frog are very commonly loud. Brock Trump, Summer 2025 I loved the sense of calm here. It reminded me of nights after a long day when you finally get outside and just listen to the world slow down. The idea that "frogs and crickets speak" while everything else is quiet really sets the mood , it’s such a relatable moment. I could almost hear those sounds when I read this. Sam Dalton, June 2025 |
44 cool morning dew Corey Cebulski I enjoy this once because I am a runner. In the morning, feeling the cool dew about to start a nice run or practice something on the grass/sidewalk. It is tough, the world does push back against you in this circumstance. Continuing a run in the early morning when the dew is still fresh is very tough to do. Or, it can be taken as the world pushes back with each step of the run. Chase Mirelez, June 2025 |
45 a heavy rain stops |
46 branches creaking |
47 first campfire spark Sam Dalton This haiku contains the essence of countless summer nights. I love having random late-night bonfires with my best friends, roasting s’mores and talking about anything and everything. Our laughter drifts through the night while the stars twinkle in the background. It is a haiku about friendship and being together. Arianna Morris, June 2025 This poem has a comforting and good vibe to it. It feels like a memory instantly after reading. campfire makes this poem feel warm and calm. This poem has movement to it. Their laughter follows the smoke; it’s like going up in emotion. Having high hopes and happiness rising through this moment. Overall sounds like a wonderful memory to remember. Damyah Word, June 2025 |
48 animal bones Nevada Blake |
49 pallbearers stand Tierra Cook |
50 creaking footsteps Tierra Cook |
51 a single tulip |
© 2025, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.