Haiku Kukai 04 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Winter 2024
1 chucking rocks 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 Abby Park |
3 pillow talk at Abby Park |
4 vase never empty |
5 shoe boxes everywhere 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 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 |
8 goalkeeper's firm grip |
9 rumors spread Blake Wiebe |
10 home alone Tara Becker |
11 summer . . . 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 Blake Wiebe |
13 vacation photos 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 |
15 traffic jam all day 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 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 Chance Cole |
18 the noise of his t.v. Chance Cole |
19 snow in my face 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 |
21 sitting in the kitchen |
22 piano keys— Collin Applegate |
23 abstract perspective 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 |
25 her eyes beg Abby Park |
26 watching the fiery sunset |
27 making it home Kylie Villarreal |
28 hot air balloon |
29 patient losing blood 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 |
31 yellow brick road |
32 grass prickles my skin |
33 wave after wave Lauren Killian |
34 mower rests in shade Hailie Schafman |
35 moonlight on my smile 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 |
37 crystal clear |
38 throwback music 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 Jacob Bullock |
40 childhood bedroom 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 Jacob Bullock |
42 his trembling words |
43 the children 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 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 |
46 generations blend |
47 she wanted help Danielle Piper |
48 scrubbing the floors Danielle Piper |
49 miles between us 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 |
51 lecture hall whispers |
52 freshly bleached hair Abby Park |
53 10, 9, 8 . . . 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 Kylie Villarreal |
55 little pink pig |
56 pink satin lingerie |
57 standing and waiting |
58 cast a line 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 Thomas Hills |
60 goodnight Reed Pierson |
61 fourth quarter 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 Lauren Killian |
63 panic attack . . . |
64 him in one room Tara Becker |
65 snow cones 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 |
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