Global Haiku Tradition--Spring Break Kukai 5, Spring 2006
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buried under everything else |
showering off salt water Natalie Perfetti (8) This is my favorite haiku from Kukai 5. It is describing such a commonplace moment, but that is what makes it so great—it is something a lot of people can relate to. And it is so light-hearted. Let’s face it, anything related to belly buttons is sure to make you giggle. In this haiku, the author’s belly button is sort of like a special hiding place that stores souvenirs from past events. Melanie |
the only one left . . . Sarah Corso (4) |
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revisiting the old pages Adam Stefo (3) I appreciate this Harry Pottered haiku. I keep trying to re-read the books because they came out some time ago and are so long that much of the plot and magic are lost to my memory. Usually, I wouldn’t have chosen a haiku that refers to a book because it seems so one dimensional- either you’ve read it and can relate or you haven’t and you could care less. However, the author chose the perfect character which made a wonderful choice for word selection. Even if they haven’t read a Harry Potter book or knew who it was referring to, the name “Snape” strikes a distinct characterization in your mind. It brings to it the sound a snake and its secret implies it is evil and dangerous. Therefore, everyone who has ever read a fictional book can relate it to a past villain. Traci |
next to my bike |
trying to hide my tears Stephanie Dietrich There are those handful of haiku that you have to pause a minute after reading them to scavenge through your memory and triple check if you wrote them yourself. This was one of them. My grandpa’s funeral was on the day I left for China and I thought it couldn’t be worse. I arrived at O’Hare to find out my flight had been delayed and I could would have been able to make it. Not wanting to lose it in front of my colleagues I did a thorough luggage examination. This author uses the word “crouch” when so many other descriptions could have been used-bending, bowing, stooping etc. The person is not just looking down or slightly bent over…they are physically on the luggage’s level and focused on it. Their hair is probably falling over their face and this gives them the few moments they need before they embark on their trip. Traci |
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I hate to come |
tiny cup of Sprite Stephanie Dietrich This haiku made me imagine my Grandparents’ basement in Chicago. They used to have these tiny white tables that we used to sit at in front of the television, as children. They also had a “parlor” chair that we grandchildren used to love. It was white, metal, and uncomfortable, but for some reason, it always felt better to sit in the parlor chair. We would drink pop (only clear pop, for fear of us spilling on the floor) from little Dixie cups as we dined on spaghetti and meatballs for lunch. I can remember all the cousins fighting for the rights of using the chair when we had large parties. Pat |
cuddling as we watch |
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before memory began |
pajama’d Liz Ciaccio Clearly, I love this haiku. It’s everybody’s dream. The chance to not only be unproductive and relaxed for an entire week, but to also be able to go out, only if you want to, I take great joy in these days. Of course, they come so infrequently, I have to imagine how fun they’d be. After reading this haiku, I can say exactly which pajamas I would choose to wear, around what time I would finally wake up, and which sofa I would promptly plop myself in and not move from. My snacks would be next to the sofa, as well as a few crafts I could entertain myself with as I religiously watch the entire first four seasons of charmed straight through. Yes, this would be my ultimate spring break, good for the author; I hope they actually lived this one out. Erin |
over the crowd Corrine Cullina (4) This haiku accentuates the necessity and routine of a stripper’s work. Obviously the woman who is stripping does not enjoy there work. They must become dead in order to subject themselves to such objectification in order to survive. Sometimes eyes that are dead stir more curiosity than those that are full of life. There is so much mystery behind the eyes within the haiku. One may place themselves in the position of the author and try to imagine the stripper’s life outside of her work. What brought her here? Were her eyes always so empty? What waits for her at home? The other point that I find particularly interesting is the haiku’s speaker. The haiku is not written from the stripper’s point of view, but someone who is watching the stripper from afar. It’s interesting to think of what tie the author has to the stripper. The haiku may come from the bartender who has admired the stripper from afar, or a father who notices the woman who looks like his teenage daughter. There are so many possibilities of the speaker, and each provides an entirely different story. Jamie |
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early morning Tannhäuser |
new sandals Alisha Goebel This is a very appropriate spring break haiku for many people, myself included. I really think this one goes out to all of those people who have to view spring break as a week to sit around home and not go to class. This one also kind of has that twist ending that I like in haiku. I for example, spent my spring break staying with my girlfriend, who goes to a school with a different spring break week than ours. It was a lot of fun, and I think that reiterates to me that you don’t need to go to some exotic destination for spring break to have a good time. Rick |
nineteen awkward. |
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laying on the couch Elizabeth Braden (5) I found this haiku very easy to relate to because it embodies much of my own spring break (I imagine this is true for many people). Over spring break, I become obsessed with the television show Lost at the recommendation of my friend Heidi. I rented and watched the entire first season. It was my only salvation from working at the DISC. I worked about forty hours over break, and would spent every one of them thinking about what was going to happen on Lost as soon as I got home. My parents actually went to Florida this year over my spring break, forcing me to stay home. Truthfully, I didn’t mind because it afforded me the opportunity of staying home and doing nothing but watch Lost. Pat This is a rather comical haiku. It brings up the pathetic lives we all lead once in awhile, like when we are sick, on a boring vacation, or are just plain lazy. I picture a fairly young guy laying on the couch surrounded by empty bags of Doritos and Coke cans. He is in his pajamas- or even worse- just his boxers. He hasn’t showered in a few days, and he doesn’t care. His hair is a mess and he is starting to get a beard. Even the dog has left the room, disgusted at his mess. But he doesn’t care, he is happy doing nothing because it means he finally has time to have nothing to do, so he leisurely lies around and watches the same 80s sitcom re-runs on TV all week long. Faith This is one of the most realistic Spring Break
haiku in the Kukai. I t perfectly describes exactly what I did for last
year's Spring Break. What I really like is that it's not just "watching
tv again" but it's "the shows I saw yesterday." I know
exactly what they're talking about: The Price is Right, Jerry Springer,
or whatever popular VH1 show they happen to be replaying. Brian R
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from the stump It seems that once children leave for college, the change brings parents to begin altering things around the house to adjust to their changing lifestyle. One of the ways my parents did this was to cut down older trees so that they could spend more time in the yard, and grow better grass. That’s one of the main ways people in our community spend time when they get older and kids move out. In this case, the tree has been cut down, but the stump hasn’t been removed yet. Over the winter, the procedure was delayed into the spring. A seed leftover from the previous fall began to grow. On spring break, the student saw it and was saddened and lifted at the same time. Ryne
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sticky little fingers |
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whispers in the dark Rachel Cook As much as we don’t like to admit it, we all change a lot when we go away to school or the armed services or anywhere else for extended periods of time. It’s always a question of whether we’ve changed for the better or worse. Similarly, we tend to find ourselves looking to our friends and the changes they’ve made in their lives as we weigh the new self against their old. And, at least in my recent experience, as much as we all change, the things that bind us, be they our memories of the good times we once shared or something deeper – something that is constant and unchanging, that beats at the core of ourselves defining who we truly are – never leave us. It’s always been such a great, relieving feeling when we get past all the scrutiny and rediscover the reasons we became friends in the first place. Brian |
picking at the crumb |
threat level orange |
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places and people |
empty stands Brian Blankenship (7) I really liked this haiku because of its inclusiveness. Even if you yourself have never stood in front of empty stands and reminisced about the glory days, I fell that any college student who’s returned home can at least relate to the emotion. For most of us, every inch of our hometown holds memories of every denomination. You can’t help be get nostalgic about the past. Okay, hold on a second. Why do I feel like I’m writing the exact same thing that I’ve written for the last three thousand kukais? Maybe it’s because I’ve picked haiku by the same author in every kukai. $10 I’ve picked one by the same person again. But that expressive, inclusive way of writing is one that I admire very much, and wish I could incorporate into my own writing. It’s difficult, however, because it’s easy to forget how much your audience knows, compared to how much you know. But it’s that quality that makes this person’s haiku continually stand out and touch me. Stephanie Reading this haiku brought me back to every fantastic baseball movie of my past. From “The Natural” to “Field of Dreams,” all of these were movies that I grew up with and came to love. I can just picture the great baseball player coming back to the stadium after the game, and letting himself travel back to that great moment in his life when he was on top of the world. I just thought this haiku had a very pleasant tone to it. Jamie |
agonizing cries |
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I try to smile Corrine Cullina This haiku reminded me of a movie experience I had over spring break. Although it was not a chick flick, V for Vendetta is a film that I was reluctantly talked into seeing with a few of my high school friends. As was previously mentioned, I worked a lot of spring break, so I didn’t get to see my friends except for this one night. This thought ran through my head as I waited in line to spend $7 on a truly awful film. I’d have much rather just hung out at someone’s house than see this movie. Anyway, we afterwards went out to dinner and caught up, but for a moment, I did reflect on the sadness of the fact that I was actually seeing this movie. Pat |
nachos and cheese Pat Steadman (2) I like this haiku because it brings to mind a slightly unpleasant image and odor, but it’s really a haiku about having fun with friends. It’s one of those haiku that focuses on small, unnoticed details, but through these small details it describes something completely different. Allison I really liked this haiku because of its twist. These are the kind of generally like, and I find this one especially funny. It also relates to me because my mom is a consulting dietitian for several nursing homes. This being said, I’ve been in a fair number of nursing homes in my life and they all have a very distinct odor. I really like how the haiku implies such a nice scene with springtime and the old folks are all excited but then it just talks about the odor of the feces. As I read it more and more I almost begin to think that the feces odor is a side thought for the patients of the nursing home since it’s more or less there all the time, and that they’re probably just excited about the springtime. Rick nachos and cheese This haiku shows the epitome of a spring break. The only thing missing is a stranger lying next to you as you awake. The image that I get from this is someone who went to the beach early, like 10am or so, and laid out and ordered an early lunch of nachos and a bottle of tequila, and the tequila eventually won out as the lunch of champions. The bottle lasted an hour or two, but the nachos remained until dusk at least. It is just so pathetically relaxing. It’s like that is what I want my spring break to be, but I wouldn’t tell anyone. Adam |
tattoo! Pat Steadman I really love how this haiku is so simple and yet portrays so many different emotions, specifically by use of punctuation. The first "tattoo" makes me think of the mother or father who are in shock after just discovering what their innocent daughter did while away on spring break. The next "tattoo" with the question mark is the parents wondering why and what the heck got into this girl's mind. The last "tattoo" and possibly my most favorite one just sort of says 'well, there's a tattoo that we can't do anything about now' . . . it's just there. Liz I’m sure this haiku could have several meanings. I, however, see it as the reaction of a parent or overbearing boy or girlfriend from the first talk session to the actual artwork being applied. At least, it is how I would hope my parents would react, finally relenting. I’m not going to lie; I had this same argument with myself over break. Seriously considering the pros and cons of a tattoo for several months, I though spring break was it, the final step, I was wrong. My mother kindly reminded me that there would be no more tuition flow if any color ink stained my body, so much for dreams. What can I say? It’s nice to know others imagine and experience this as well. Erin I love that the use of just one word can bring about such a clear, humorous image in this haiku. This makes each punctuation mark that much more effective. The first line implies shock, the second uncertainty, and the third an unmoved response. This haiku could be taken from many perspectives. The perspective that I imagined was from that of the person getting the tattoo. One of her crazy, fun and trendy friends decides it is time for her to get a tattoo, so she is dragged in somewhat shock into the tattoo parlor. She sits in the waiting room while her friend basically picks out the tattoo for her as she begins to panic and fear the needles. After it is over, however, the affair eventually loses its spark and she gets used to her tattoo and it is no longer a big deal. Faith Well, here is a haiku not about love or relationships, and due to the fact that Haley doesn’t have a tattoo, this wont be a sappy review. I like this due to its simple emotion form in which the punctuation does the talking rather than the words. Now, not to say that the words mean nothing, someone getting a tattoo is clearly the theme of this poem but isn’t what adds a story to it. The exclamation point is the person reacting to the tattoo in a very surprised fashion. The second line has the person questioning what they are seeing, through the use of a question mark, the last line has the person accepting or realizing the situation after the initial shock. Andrew |
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waking up, Melanie McLay This haiku does a good job of summing up the feeling I had last Sunday when I realized break was over. It’s funny how fast vacations pass. The sense of a week-long spring break seeming to pass over night pretty much sums up how fast time flies when you relax or have fun. It also made me think of realizing that all that homework that I/you had been putting off till later in the week still wasn’t done and now the week was gone. Corinne How familiar this sounds. I planned on doing so much work over my break; readings, preparations, and memorizations mostly. I found with each passing day though that I was putting things off, thinking that there was still plenty of time to get my work done, after all I had no plans for the week. I finally decided to sit down and do some work and realized that I needed to do my laundry so that I could pack to go back to school. This haiku perfectly captures the realization that the entire week has been spent down the tubes. There is something to be said for that, though. Adam |
a light breeze sails by Natalie Perfetti I liked this haiku for the visual. It gave me such a happy picture and made me a little sad about my lack of fun over spring break. Children are so innocent and are easily entertained. I like the fun and laughter I can hear by reading this haiku. I picture them either in a sandbox imagining they are at the ocean or actually being at the ocean. Alisha |
root beer float |
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tree vision orphan? I received an immediate image from the power of this haiku. I picture a large, leafy tree with plenty of thick limbs (perfect for climbing). One limb slopes horizontally, forming a natural seat. The silhouette of a boy sits on the limb, his feet dangling beneath, and watches the sun as it sinks into the ground. Right now the sun appears as a fiery dome. I picture this from behind so his feet actually eclipse the sun’s orange. This is a summer scene so the warmth of day remains even as the sun sets. Natalie This was probably my favorite one because it painted such an amazing image. I have a picture of a single tree in the middle of a grassy field and this little boy sitting on a huge branch, letting his feet dangle. Looking at him from behind, it does look like his feet are above the sunset. It’s such a crisp, clear and peaceful image. Rachel I love the image this haiku conveys. This haiku makes me think that the boy is younger, maybe 11 or 12. I think this because climbing up in a tree to watch a sunset – getting a closer look, maybe?:) – is such a spontaneous thing. Allison |
spring cleaning Melanie McLay I like that we are presented with two very contrasting images here. One of old, one of new. Both responsibilities, equally important when considered at the appropriate age. The introduction of “spring cleaning” give the impression that in reality the narrator is older and the brushing of doll’s hair is a reversion to a simpler time in that person’s life. But, as I said, I find it interesting that this character pauses from her spring cleaning – a task that holds a certain amount of weight on one’s shoulders – to brush the hair of her doll – which at one time would have been equally as pressing of a matter. I also like the commentary on our sentimental tendencies to revert to a child-like state because of the presence of a symbol or item from our childhood. In this instance, it’s portrayed as a sudden spark of interest that was strong enough to jerk this person from her burdensome reality, to a time when the appearance of her doll was at the forefront of her mind. Brian |
midnight excursion |
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the enemy's sub |
hands held tightly Elizabeth Braden I liked this poem due to how it unfolds more with every line. Initially you could assume that the “hands held tightly” is a literal term. The second and last line however turn the frist into a symbolic term. The hands held no longer stand for people littereally holding hands, although this would still fit the theme of the haiku, but rather the togetherness of two people who care for each other sharing their live together. Overall yet another sappy poem that makes me think of my girlfriend. (man being tired really makes me a softy) Andrew |
Traveling Sister |
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talking Pat Steadman I really liked this poem because it has a mixed nature of togetherness mixed with distance. The two people in the poem are physically very far apart, but they are still able to talk giving the impression that they are still in some way together. Two people who are not able to be together in body are able to be together in mind through their words. In the end, the real reason I like this poem is because I am in a long distance relationship and it reminds me of when we talk on the phone and it’s like we’re together (sorry, too sappy?) Andrew |
the shoe salesman Faith Martin I really like this haiku because it really captures the essence of a shoe salesman. They’re more than eager to help you with the first (and especially the expensive) pair of shoes. However, if you’re trying on pair after pair, they tend to become less and less helpful – that is, unless you’re planning to buy all eleven pairs you’ve tried on previously. This haiku gives a nice image of that situation. Sarah |
sporting good store |
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peeking between the cracks |
she wants to let go |
soaking footprints Jamie Devitt Here I imagine a family house darkened and quiet. The hour is late and the parents and siblings are slumbering in their rooms nearby. Slowly, the front door opens (creaking ever so slightly) and a teenaged girl enters. Her party clothes are dark with wetness and makeup runs down her face. Slowly, leaving footprinted puddles on the carpet, she tiptoes down the silent hallway and into her room. Despite the dark, I can see a satisfied grin on her face. Natalie I imagine a spring-breaker at home during the working hours, and they have decided to take advantage of the privacy that is so often denied to college students. They have taken a shower, and since they are alone have decided to walk around the house in only what the Lord gave them. But they here a key in the door, or rumblings downstairs, and they make a mad, yet silent dash to their bedroom so that they can get some clothes on. They may be covered, but their embarrassment shows evidently on their face. Adam |
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cell phone jumps Faith Martin (3) This same scenario happened to me over break, though I willingly offered to pick them up earlier that afternoon. It was St. Patrick’s Day and my brother and his friends planned an all night outing at a bar in the next town. Being the responsible older brother that he is, he asked me if I would pick them up whenever he called me because he knew he would be in no condition to drive home. Around 1:30AM I got a call from one of his friends saying that they were ready to be picked up. So my boyfriend and I made the twenty mile drive to pick up 8 very drunk kids. I will admit, though, it was a good time even though I had to be at work at 6AM that morning. Elizabeth |
hidden behind the towels |
blowing goodbye kisses |
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a Bahamas t-shirt— |
roaring waves |
thousands of miles above Stephanie Dietrich |
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springtime |
buried in the closet Melanie McLay (8) |
grandma slips me a twenty |
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waking up early Liz Ciaccio This haiku actually made me quite jealous when I read it. By the time this person was waking up I was almost finished with an eight hour shift at work. Every day of Spring Break I was up VERY early to go to work—6 AM to be exact. So, the fact that this person is waking up early to watch to their 1 PM soap opera makes me very jealous. But then that jealousy goes away when I realize that I earned money over break and lost out on sleep as opposed to this person catching up on sleep but not earning any money. In my opinion, I win in this situation. Elizabeth |
Sunday morning Faith Martin Reading this haiku I got such an awkward feeling from putting myself in that situation. It's a Sunday morning, so I picture the two seeing each other after a church service where the mother is all overly cheery and annoying. She goes in for the hug and there's nothing you can do about it . . . you're trapped. I can see the person being hugged cringing in the middle of the hug, which is undoubtedly one-sided. I wonder what goes through the mother's head as she does this. "Hello, there's a reason your son is my ex . . . don't you think there are some weird feelings between me and you?" Liz |
a mother’s tears |
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the dog’s tongue Melanie McLay puppy waits Faith Martin When I read the first haiku I thought of how I missed my dog Taffy who we had to put down when I returned home from school last spring. I figured that the haiku was probably about being at home and realizing that the slobbery sticky feeling that is sometimes annoying is actually something that we take for granted and don’t really miss until we’re gone for a long time. I however, thought of another dog licking my hand and me remembering my dog and missing not exactly the sensation of a dog licking my hand but the sensation of my dog showing that she missed me and that she cared for me by licking my hand. Then when I read the second haiku I nearly cried. At my old house when I was little my dog use to come up the stairs at night and sleep in my room. As she got older she couldn’t climb the stairs anymore and would sleep at the base of the stairs after I went to bed. However, my mom noticed that if I was gone for a few days on a trip my dog would climb the stairs and look for me every night. When we moved into our new house my room was on the ground floor and she began sleeping either in or near my room. When I went away for college my mom said Taffy would sleep in my room a lot or constantly check my room to see if I had come home. So thanks to these two haiku I cried and then wrote a series of haiku about my dog. Corinne |
sun-warmed grass |
watching tv |
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farms and cows for miles Rachel Cook (8) Like a lot of people around here, my hometown is a little town out in the country somewhere, so this haiku immediately took me back there. We have farms and cows and chickens and unpolished people. Whenever I go back there now, I always have this bittersweet feeling inside of me. In a way I hate it because I feel like I'm digressing back to how I used to be. On the other hand, though, there are so many memories I have growing up there. I always drive by my old house on Cherry Lane that I lived in before all my siblings grew up and before my parents' divorce. I know all the houses and people and I love the comforting feeling. At the same time, though, I feel trapped and the need to get out. Liz As much as I’m trying to focus on technique, this haiku spoke out to me because I can relate so strongly to it. Even before I’d left Jackson, I swore I’d never return. Yet, over my past couple of returns to Jackson, I’ve found myself feeling a certain amount of affection for it, and all the things that have happened there. Part of me wants very strongly to detest every part of me, yet, the other part of me is beginning to appreciate it, and take it for what it is. It’s that feeling that drew me to this haiku. The idea of town that “I hate to miss” is one I can relate to perfectly. Again, it’s the idea of universality that I appreciate so very much. Stephanie This haiku really captures the feeling of going off to college after living in a small town all my life. I swore I’d never go back, but more and more I find myself missing some of the nicer aspects of country living – especially the quiet. Then I suddenly remember why I wanted to leave in the first place. It’s a hard paradox, and the haiku really drives the point home. Sarah |
clear night— |
break from school Rick Bearce I get a fairly strong sense of the author’s tone in this piece – one of a kind of joking bitterness that also shows some truth. I can see this person returning home prior to the happening depicted in the haiku, and realizing that their bed and all their personal belongs had been boxed up, moved out, and stored away, possibly in a drafty attic or a leaky basement. Now, I – having always shared a room with two brothers and never really having “my bedroom” – never really identified myself through the appearance and status of my room. However, I am familiar with people – almost always those who have the good fortune of having a room to themselves – who drape the walls with posters of their favorite actors and musicians, and paint the walls to their own specification, and meticulously pick out their comforters and pillow cases, people to whom this situation would be most unsettling. And because not everyone will understand what they are going through, they’re forced to joke about the fact as a way of dealing with their true disappointment in the matter; hence, the referral of the bedroom they once knew well and loved wholly as their “guest bedroom”. Brian Although I didn't go home for Spring break, I did go home for winter break and my Grandparents definitely used my room for the entire duration of the break. Also, my parents redecorated my room, so it is now completely not mine and I have no real personal connection to it. I really like the element of surprise at the end of this haiku because you're expecting to read "to my dog" or "to Mom's apple pie" or some homey image, but instead it's "my guest bedroom." I also like that the author still calls it their own, even though it clearly isn't. Brian R After leaving home for such long periods of time, parents do change things and though it’s still home it feels different. Paint colors change, flooring changes, and even whole rooms are changed to reflect the comings-and-goings of children. Though it’s shocking for students to return home and see for the first time that their room is no longer theirs, the feeling of “home” is still apparent. They must stay in the guest bedroom, but they typically aren’t considered guests. The “family privileges” are still there, as well as the feeling of welcome and love that makes home “home”. I’m sure that by the end of break, the narrator of the haiku realized this. It would make a very interesting series to see the transition from this view to the concluding sadness of leaving again. I just realized that the three haiku I chose to respond to could all work in a series like this. Ryne |
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the couch in the den |
brothers wave Rachel Cook (7) I really liked this one because of all the vibrant, sensory images it added to the image in my head. What’s so wonderful, however, is that each word not only adds another object to the haiku, but a very specific on. Those aren’t just family standing and waving; they’re brothers, who will share a very different bond than say, their mom and dad. They’re not just waving at her car, they’re waving at her taillights, which gives a stronger image of watching someone walk away. And their tears aren’t just blurring the scene, but their brother’s hands. Each word adds a very significant detail to the scene, and I think it adds both literary and emotional depth. Stephanie I like this haiku because it made me think about how their hands were blurred. I like the visual it gives me as well. I like the view of only eyes in the rearview mirror and how it is later in the afternoon, almost dusk. I like the view from the brothers as well. I can see them waving until there is no more red from the taillights. Overall this haiku was very appealing. Alisha The goodbye in this haiku takes place at night, after a whole week of a family getting to spend time with one another. It is still saddening after two years to leave home to come back to school, even if home is only an hour away. The driver’s tears distort their view, but I imagine that it’s also raining. Water runs down the back window and distorts the image. I get a very cinematic image in my head from his haiku, with lots of motion and light. Ryne |
bounding over road and fence |
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watching movies Rachel Cook This haiku is so sweet, and it says a lot with few words. The first two lines seem to be either about a child, or about an adult revisiting childhood memories. After that, the last line comes as a surprise, as the image is shifted from a child on a mom’s lap to a young adult on their mom’s lap. I would call this haiku “warm and fuzzy”—it is nostalgic and sweet. Melanie |
morningbreathatsickening |
stuck at home Ryne Inman I like that this is the 21 first century and we’re of college age, but we still find ourselves stuck at home sometimes. Blogging is a relatively new use of the internet and it allows you to be in anyone’s home sharing your views at any time- hence, the irony. Arm hair is such a random thing to share with your closest friends and strangers through out the world, that it fits this person’s cry for attention and emphasizes how bored they are. Traci |
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humid high school computer lab |
explain to me why |
church bulletin Brian Blankenship (7) This one was a familiar feeling for me as well. I only go to my “old” church when I’m at home with my parents. It was the church I grew up in and everyone still knows me, but it doesn’t feel like mine anymore. However, there are still those few moments where I feel at home. I still doodle on the church bulletin just like I did when I was still living with my family. This haiku captured, for me, that feeling that no matter how long you stay away some things always bring you back and make you feel at home. Rachel How true. How true indeed. I lke how this haiku shows a person going to church who hasn't been in a while, and, even though they haven't been in a while, they still doodle and only half pay attention to the service. I can totally and completely relate to this haiku because I do the exact same thing. But hey, at least you're making your mom happy because you went to church. Brian R This haiku also brings back memories in many ways. I’m the type of person who will doodle or draw on just about anything given paper and something to write with. There is a certain feeling of awkwardness when drawing on church bulletin because I almost wonder to myself, am I doing something unholy here? I also like the way the haiku says “still draw” as if to imply that the author is older now but things haven’t changed, much like me. Rick Just like the previous haiku, this one is about returning to childhood ways when visiting home. The subject fits the haiku genre very well, because it is easy to convey with a very simple and concise image, no explanation needed. I can imagine a man of twenty, dressed up in his suit and tie, sitting with his family at church. He is sitting next to his younger sibling or cousin, and they are both doodling on their church bulletins. Age-wise, the young man really fits in with the adults in the family, but he still has that childish playfulness hidden inside him. Melanie |
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who needs flowers . . . |
surrounded by dancers |
we eat chilli burritos |
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for the first time ever |
one hand Stephanie Dietrich (8) This haiku creates a very quiet, warming image. It does not bring about any sounds, but the impact is in the silence and the understanding between the girl and boy holding hands. It reminds me of my parents. Usually younger people hold hands, not those who have been married or in a relationship for long periods of time. However, every once in a while I’ll see my parents holding hands. They like to do it discreetly, like when they are sitting in church or when we are driving on vacation. This brings an image of my parents- mom is driving and dad is in the passenger seat- driving us back from spring break. It’s a long drive and we drive all day, so by the time we get home it is dark. We’re all tired and ready to get out of the car, so we sit in silence trying to sleep for the last jog of the journey. My parents are in the front, holding hands in contentment. Faith I like this haiku because of it’s structure and the sound and rhythm. I like the repetition of the o’s. this haiku made me read it over to try and find a deeper meaning. I like the simplicity and beauty of it. I like the structure also. It is interesting and visually appealing. The sound of it read aloud is also appealing. Alisha |
coughing blood in the lazy boy |
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waving to mom Liz Ciaccio I liked this one because it was exactly what I wanted to write! I was trying to write a haiku about how sad I was to go back to school and how home was a nice break from the hectic life I lead at school. This haiku captured that feeling for me perfectly! I had tried so many versions and I just couldn’t seem to get it right. The minute I read this one I was like, “YES! That’s it! That’s what I was trying to say!” I think that’s just one more thing that I’ve learned from haiku – everyone can be thinking the same moment or scene, but sometimes it takes someone else to express it. I know exactly what this author is feeling, but he/she wrote it better! Rachel |
driving home Rick Bearce This haiku reminded me of walking around downtown Chicago with my boyfriend and noticing that all the statues of historical heroes on horses all had huge obvious penises. I remember in grade school our teacher explained to us that this was because it was an insult to have a hero sit on any other horse other than a stallion. However, that doesn’t exactly help the fact that the horses’ erections tend to stand out (no pun intended) a lot more than they probably should. Even my little four-year-old cousin noticed. Corinne |
puppy waits Faith Martin At my old house when I was little my dog use to come up the stairs at night and sleep in my room. As she got older she couldn’t climb the stairs anymore and would sleep at the base of the stairs after I went to bed. However, my mom noticed that if I was gone for a few days on a trip my dog would climb the stairs and look for me every night. When we moved into our new house my room was on the ground floor and she began sleeping either in or near my room. When I went away for college my mom said Taffy would sleep in my room a lot or constantly check my room to see if I had come home. So thanks to these two haiku I cried and then wrote a series of haiku about my dog. Corinne |
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video store clerk— Rachel Cook This haiku was the epitome of my Spring Break. Almost every night, my boyfriend and I would rent three movies and watch them all that night. We would go back the next night to return the movies and get three more for that night. By the third night we went in there, we were on a first name basis with the workers, and as we would leave they would say to us “We’ll see you tomorrow!” Reading this haiku reminded me of that and thinking more about it I realized it didn’t faze me that after a week we were on more of a personal level with the staff of the video store. Elizabeth |
the dog rests her chin on my lap |
a head on my lap, |
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the first snow day |
before the sunrise Traci Rapp (2) |
the French becomes clearer |
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we discuss robot dragons Adam Stefo (3) I really liked this haiku because it appealed to my nerdier side – I have embraced and accepted my nerdiness (it’s impossible to date someone who plays Magic cards if you haven’t) and this is a perfect example of it. The discussion of something like robot dragons in such a nonchalant way is why I love being nerdy. This haiku picks up on that really well. Sarah |
my jaw muscles tremble Stephanie Dietrich This haiku immediately reminded me of Macy Gray and her song “I Try.” Both situations involve a girl trying valiantly (yet failing) to be strong in her moment of weakness. I picture a couple standing awkwardly apart, the few feet between them seeming like thousands of miles. A boy peers into the girl’s eyes with concern. Her voice and words are confident, yet her mien is betrayed by the quiver of her chin and the bright sheen in her eyes. Neither wants to leave, but out of her last bit of strength, the girl walks away. As soon as she leaves the scene, she bursts into tears. Natalie The vulnerability of this haiku that is revealed only to the audience is what stood out to me about this particular haiku. I could very much relate to the speaker of this haiku in the sense that I’m very masked when it comes to showing my vulnerability to a man. Though I may be breaking inside, I will never let him see me fall. It is how I keep myself safe and protected. As terrible as that may seem, it how I keep myself. I place this haiku at the end of a breakup, and the speaker is the girl who is being broken up with. Jamie |
spilling out of my beach tote |
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tired of wanting Alisha Goebel Easily, I could apply this to my love life. Today, however, it applies to a huge array of things. We’re college students, there are several things we’d like to have, or would like to try, but unfortunately do not have the opportunity. I can almost feel the emotions adding up inside myself after reading this haiku. I like that it applies to every age of life, as well as to different aspects. Because of personal reasons, this is one of my favorites within the Kukai. Erin I think that being home for spring break makes people think about the disappointments and missed opportunities in their past, whether it is in relationships or achievements. I liked this haiku because even though the speaker still thinks about things in his or her past and wishes they were different, he or she is still determined to live fully in the present. Allison |
jingle |
east village adventures |
© 2006, Randy Brooks • Millikin University •
last updated:
March 31, 2006
All rights returned to authors upon publication.