1

chucking rocks
finally
one skips

Thomas Hills

I like this haiku. While reading it I thought about how hard finding the perfect rock to skip is and when you finally skip one how exciting it is. I remember as a kid my mom would always skip a rock really good, but I couldn't. I would get so mad and just chuck the rock into the water. I also thought about this haiku in this way, You have been working on something for some time and you finally achieve your goal. The satisfaction from achieving your goal is a really great feeling. This could be for anything in life. Lauren Killian, May 2024

"Chucking rocks" is a short, sweet poem that captures a playful moment. It's like remembering those carefree days of tossing stones into a pond, watching them skip across the water. The poem's simplicity and short lines make it feel like you're right there, in the moment, enjoying the fun of it all. And that last line, "One skips," perfectly sums up the joy of seeing a stone bounce off the water's surface. It's a little poem that brings back memories and makes you smile. Alex Wozniak, May 2024

2

scared of the dark
sister just down
the hall

Abby Park

3

pillow talk at
2 am
drunk giggles

Abby Park

4

vase never empty
although you are
gone

5

shoe boxes everywhere
each one holds
a new story

Thomas Hills

This haiku stood out to me because I enjoy getting different types of shoes and when I do buy them it is usually for a reason and when I look at them or wear them every time after that I am able to relate a story or feeling towards them. Jacob Bullock, May 2024

This haiku encapsulates the richness of human experience and the importance of memory. It encourages a mindful appreciation of the past and the stories embedded in the objects around us. By doing so, it highlights the beauty of everyday life and the narratives we create and carry with us. Terrion White, May 2024

6

one dollar
two of us
we make it work

Thomas Hills

After reading this haiku, it reminded me of the 80s. Hearing stories from my parents makes me jealous of their young adult years and wishes I had the same experience. Everything nowadays is so expensive and a dollar can barely get you water. My mom told me back then for a dollar at some bars you could get like 7 beers. If I could go back in time for a day, I would. Bella Mattaliano, May 2024

I liked this haiku because it reminds me that sometimes you and your friends or family may not have a ton of money, but you can make do with what you’ve got and still have an enjoyable time at the end of the day. Also, having the knowledge that if one of your friends is down and you help that knowing that they would do the same for you if the situation was flipped is a good feeling. Jacob Bullock, May 2024

This haiku is really sweet. I imagine two people who are riding the struggle bus together. They don't have much, but at least they have each other. They look on the bright side of things and know they have each other. I remember growing up with just my my mom and I . I know we struggled but back then she'd never let me know that. It was just me and her. She never let me know when all we had was a dollar. Lauren Killian, May 2024

7

dribble, crossover
shoes squeaking 
swish

8

goalkeeper's firm grip
of the penalty kick
net remains untouched

9

rumors spread
call after call
leaving us lost

Blake Wiebe

10

home alone
quiet as a mouse
floor creaks

Tara Becker

11

summer . . .
cool days are
the best days

Terrion White

This haiku is nice. It gives the contrast of summer and cool weather. There are some days during the summer where it's not roasting but not often. I imagine someone who doesn't enjoy the sunshine and they stay mainly indoors during the summer. Lauren Killian, May 2024

"Summer ... is a poem that really captures what makes summer special. The lines "Cool days are / The best days" say so much in so few words. It's that feeling of relief when a breeze comes on a hot day, or those lazy afternoons where time seems to slow down. This poem reminds you of those simple pleasures and why summer is a season everyone loves. Alex Wozniak, May 2024

12

Taylor Swift sings
in backseat of your car
new love blossoms

Blake Wiebe

13

vacation photos
flood my instagram
as I sit at work

Tara Becker

I have a love/hate with this haiku. I love it because it is so relatable. I also hate it because of the feeling it gives me. Being at work watching other enjoy vacation is my closest point to misery. If I could vacation for life I would. Though seeing others relax and vacation while I work gives me rage, it also gives me anticipation of what I have to look for. Kendra Hentz, May 2024

14

straightening up
flowers placed
the dead baby’s grave

15

traffic jam all day 
horns honk 
bumper to bumper

xxxxx

I really relate to this living in STL. The traffic down here can get so bad sometimes it's frustrating. Just sitting at a complete stop for 10-15 minutes when you have something to do can be so tiring. Cars all packed and bunched up like sardines ,people constantly trying to switch lanes like it's anywhere to go. And with the drivers being so bad down here it doesn't make it any better. The traffic can make a 10 min drive 30 minutes at the right time of day. 40 if it's rush hour, that's when you really gotta just sit and relax because you aren't moving anytime soon. Thomas Hills, May 2024

16

the smell of the popcorn 
not a great breakfast 
but she’s eating

Reed Pierson

In this haiku, I picture a father and daughter. The father and daughter are getting ready for the day. They are in the kitchen, about to eat breakfast, before they head out the door. The daughter is very picky. Typically, the father makes her a couple different options but she refuses them all. But today, today was special. The daughter asked to make her own breakfast. And while it was a bag of popcorn, the father was just happy to see her eating. Chance Cole, May 2024

17

the thumping
from the music
the floor above

Chance Cole

18

the noise of his t.v.
he yells though the players
cannot hear him

Chance Cole

19

snow in my face
flying down the mountain
what a rush

Chance Cole

I love the strong energetic tone in this haiku. It seems like many haiku are more calm and relaxed so seeing one with excitement really catches my eye. While reading this I think about going on an intense skiing trip and enjoying the feeling of pure adrenaline. It is a nice feeling in the moment, because you know that memories are being created that you can look back on in the future. Collin Applegate, May 2024

Reading this reminded me of when me and my dad used to go sledding when I was little . I used to always love it when it snowed because I knew we would be able to sled in forest park. Throw on about 4-5 layers of clothing, 2 pairs of socks and the biggest boots I had and would be ready to go. The rush I got from just sledding down that hill is indescribable .It was so much fun. You just feel like you're on top of the world and then all of a sudden you're going so fast down this hill . Even though you're only going down it for maybe 10 seconds the rush lasts forever. Then you get to get back up and do it all over again until you get tired. Thomas Hills, May 2024

20

trees moving outside 
on a early morning 
just watching

21

sitting in the kitchen
the small noise 
is the refrigerator

22

piano keys—
one of them
has no sound

Collin Applegate

23

abstract perspective
my tall walls
surround me

Collin Applegate

I picked this haiku as one of my favorites because I enjoyed the language. It tells a story of someone who has a hard time letting people in. However, it tells it in such an unconventional way that makes it much more interesting to read. Kylie Villarreal, May 2024

24

staring at my backpack
all of the places
I've never gone

25

her eyes beg
at his lips
for a goodnight kiss

Abby Park

26

watching the fiery sunset
a long conversation
with myself

27

making it home
before the clock
strikes midnight

Kylie Villarreal

28

hot air balloon
landing in a field
of red poppies

29

patient losing blood
no transfusion ordered
Jehovah Witness

Abby Park

After reading this haiku, it reminded me of my future career. As a nurse you are ordered by the doctor to administer medication but can only give it if you ask the patient for their consent. If they refuse treatment, you could watch a patient die in front of you when you had in your hands what would help them. It's a hard process to deal with and makes the job extremely tough. Bella Mattaliano, May 2024

30

heart jolts to a stop
his hand lingers
on her thigh

31

yellow brick road
a toad 
on my slippers

32

grass prickles my skin
rolling over every inch
to scratch a new itch

33

wave after wave
I crash into
you

Lauren Killian

34

mower rests in shade 
his old man limp
to get the mail 

Hailie Schafman

35

moonlight on my smile  
unique as the stars above  
proud of who I am

Hailie Schafman

I felt really moved by this haiku. She had a unique smile. We are all unique. No two people are the same. She is proud of who she is. It is a haiku that has a message. That we should all be proud of who we are. Kylie Villarreal, May 2024

36

whispers in the wind 
footsteps fading into night 
gone without a trace

37

crystal clear
no wind
thoughts swim with the fish

38

throwback music
Saturday mornings
cleaning everything

Jacob Bullock

This haiku reminds me of my childhood. My mother would wake the entire house up with “oldies” music. This was known as an alarm for cleaning. We knew after hearing a specific song we would spending our entire Saturday deep cleaning the house. This haiku unlocked this specific memory along with others. It reminded me of how much I loved weekends on my home. Though some were spent cleaning, Saturdays were always about family. Reading this left my heart with a smile. Kendra Hentz, May 2024

39

shoot the layup
fouled
another opportunity

Jacob Bullock

40

childhood bedroom
walls empty
clothes in boxes

Bella Mattaliano

I also like this one because I am about to move in a week. Which I am happy about but it is also hard because I loved living in the house. Packing is also taking longer than I thought because I have more stuff than I thought I did. Reed Pierson, May 2024

41

ball bounce
shoe squeak
peace at last

Jacob Bullock

42

his trembling words
race in my mind
my heart beats

43

the children 
run to take cover
fireworks burst

Kendra Hentz

This makes me think of moments in my youth and the joy that moments like this brought me. During the fourth of July my family would always have a bunch of fireworks and I am reminded of times that I would light off some with my cousins. We would always be terrified as soon as the firework was lit, but as we were running away there was a strong desire to see what would happen next. This curiosity and playfulness are probably some of the memories that I cherish most from my past. Collin Applegate, May 2024

44

invisibility 
is what i wish 
I could be

Kendra Hentz

I really liked how this haiku speaks from someone you can tell is not used to being in the spotlight. They may not always want to be here center yet seem to end up there one way or another. It’s interesting how they wish to not be seen, yet I’m sure there are others who would want the opposite given the circumstances. What really drew me to this haiku was how much I too can say that I have wished for the same thing in my house. Once I have that though, all I want is to be noticed again. Tara Becker, May 2024

45

broken smile 
closed mouth 
afraid to speak

46

generations blend
stories shared around the fire
roots grow deep and strong

47

she wanted help
now it's too late
pink casket spray

Danielle Piper

48

scrubbing the floors
crystal clear
a footprint trail

Danielle Piper

49

miles between us 
all worth it when
I touch your face again

Danielle Piper

I like this one because I understand this feeling. Over the summer I am doing long distance with my boyfriend. Which is a lot hard than I thought it would be. I went to seeing him every day in the school year to about twice a month. Reed Pierson, May 2024

50

coffee scent fills air
morning warmth in silent sips
calm reflection time

51

lecture hall whispers 
pens scratching on paper  
back at work 

52

freshly bleached hair
tan skin and French tips
he doesn’t notice

Abby Park

53

10, 9, 8 . . .
slipping away
under the knife

Kylie Villarreal

I really like this haiku because I find it very relatable. As a kid, I had a lot of surgeries, or procedure where I had to undergo anesthesia.. No matter the type of surgery, doctor, hospital, the one thing hat always stayed consistent was the doctor putting the mask over my face and telling me to count backwards from ten. Chance Cole, May 2024

54

gazing out the window
the world below
so small

Kylie Villarreal

55

little pink pig
missing an eye
a stepmother's love

56

pink satin lingerie
tied into a knot
my blankie "Robey"

57

standing and waiting
balloons in hand
empty birthday party

58

cast a line
reel it in
let it go

Lauren Killian

This is such a poetic list for how to both fish and live life. It’s almost like following a to do list of sorts and I really like that about this haiku. It feels like the author wanted more than just how to catch a fish, maybe how to move on from a relationship, or friendship that is not serving you anymore. Either way it’s well done. Tara Becker, May 2024

59

lifting the pain
away
another day at the gym

Thomas Hills

60

goodnight 
another night sleeping alone 
I can’t sleep

Reed Pierson

61

fourth quarter
down by two
i’m shooting the three

Thomas Hill

I love what the writer of this haiku did with the numbers. It is a clever way to write a haiku. I enjoy reading these kids of haiku. I imagine the score is tied and they are just seconds away from the end of the game. The player takes a risk and shoots a 3 pointer. It was a buzzer beater! I can hear the team and the crowd go wild! Lauren Killian, May 2024

62

snap, crackle, pop
my favorite time
in the day

Lauren Killian

63

panic attack . . .
I close the curtains
in my new home

64

him in one room
I in mine
crickets between us

Tara Becker

65

snow cones
a kaleidoscope of color
stains my face

Tara Becker

This haiku brings me back to my childhood. I played a lot of sports growing up and almost after every game I would beg my mom to buy me a rainbow snow cone. I imagine my hands all sticky and my lips stained with color. These days were so simple and easy. The town I live in got a fancy snow cone shop last summer. I stop by there once a week and try a new one of their gourmet flavor combinations. It's definitely the highlight of my week. Lauren Killian, May 2024

66

moonlight
blocked out
shining Paris lights