Haiku Kukai 1 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Spring 2019
dinner with friends |
snowed in |
snow gently falling Daryann Birt (6) I thought of that feeling of that burning and numb sensation you get when walking through the snow. I remember the tingling of working outside all day and how your feet can start to hurt near the end of it. It was a feeling of more pain and the image of walking through the falling snow. Even though it was gently falling, it’s still cold. I just imagined me covered in layers of clothes, head down, and freezing while I was walking somewhere. Evan Chastain, Spring 2019 |
my breath shows |
brown snow |
frosty windows Rene Sanchez |
warm wool |
stranger in the snow Ariya Hawkins (5) |
walking around campus |
the frigid air |
remote start Breana Bagley |
old blue truck Amanda Bivens (4) I pictured an old blue truck trying to start on a cold morning. I pictured it on a farm, and it had scratches, dents, and worn spots where the paint had turned to a smooth brown. It was that old truck that always has been reliable and wanting to start even though it was having troubles. I also saw the tail ligts flicker as it tried to start, making me feel like it was giving everything it had to start running. It was a great haiku and made me see a perfect image of an old truck trying to start. Evan Chastain, Spring 2019 |
a new day |
cold morning Benjamin Woodcock (8) I enjoyed this haiku because of the world choice. With the word shivered, I am transported into a cold winter morning. This haiku also feels lonely to me. The song being hummed must be a sad one. There is not much to this haiku and I enjoy the simplicity to it. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019 |
the children |
empty campus Kevin Miller (3) When I read this it makes me think of softball season back in high school. We would start when it was still cold out and so we would have indoor practices in the gym and we'd be the only people there.So its like walking into the school gym and getting ready for practice all over again at the beginning of softball season. Daryann Birt, Spring 2019 |
the wind Kevin Miller (5) |
darkness |
winter lager Whitley Sapp (8) When reading this haiku, I pictured myself back at home for winter break at the bar reuniting with some friends from high school. All the guys finally of age sitting back and drinking an ice-cold beer. This brings back good memories with people I have known for more than half my life. This makes me think of friendships that be rekindled through cold beer and old talks. Rene Sanchez, Spring 2019 |
skating around the pond |
snow covered hill |
fireplace crackle Whitley Sapp (8) |
snow Connor Mendenhall (6) I really loved this haiku because it reminded me of this photo and how stubborn cats can be. I imagined a cat was curious to explore the snow, maybe for the first time, but as it took its first step it just picked its paw right up and went back inside to the warmth of the home because of the shocking cold. For me, the final resting place is not of death but instead warmth and sleep. Possible its resting on the top of a bookshelf? My cat liked to sleep most of her time. Grace Ruddell, Spring 2019 |
melting snow Whitley Sapp I really liked this haiku because I can picture it. I can even hear this haiku, the smush of the grass. This haiku took me to a time of transition, from winter to spring. Spring is my favorite time of year so this haiku brought me happiness. I can also feel the warmth of the sun peaking through the clouds on a day gray winter’s day to melt away the snow. Mikaela Vuglar, Spring 2019 |
in your rainstorm Mikaela Vuglar (10) I like this haiku, because it reminds me of one of my best friends. When I close my eyes, I see my friend, who always seems to have a rain cloud over her. There is thunder, lightning, and torrential rainfall pouring onto her head. I imagine myself trying to give her an umbrella, but she pushes it back towards me as she stomps away. I simply open my umbrella and step into the rainstorm with her. Some days, I can push the rainstorm away and the sun will come out. Other days, the rainstorm only grows, and I find myself choking on the copious amounts of rain that come with her storm. It is cold, the sky is dark, and everything is wet. The storm grows like a poison, and I would love to save myself, but only if I can save her first. Amanda Bivens, Spring 2019 I enjoyed this haiku because of how deep and emotional it got me. It made me see multiple scenarios when I said it over and over. I pictured a single cloud over someone and it is just pouring down on them, until someone else comes along and opens their umbrella in order to keep them dry. Another version I saw was actually one without the rain but more so seeing someone upset and another person going to spend time with that person in order to cheer them up and get them out of their storm for a while. Kevin Miller, Spring 2019 |
gray winter night sky |
heavy breathing |
thick ice Mikaela Vuglar (7) |
fire burning |
school is cancelled Rene Sanchez (7) |
oval frame |
snow falling outside Emily Reeves (5) Initially, this was one of my favorites from Haiku Kukai 1. I enjoyed it so much because it immediately took me to a very relatable place. I was taken back just a month ago to the Christmas party I had thrown for my friends. There was food, movies, wine, and a movie, which we all enjoyed around the Christmas tree. I could smell the eggs and sausage. I could recall the movie, Calendar Christmas. This haiku reminded me of a simple time. College is often filled with missed moments of smelling the roses per say, because we are all so rushed in our daily lives. Combined with the calming snow outside, and the laid back activities with friends, this haiku was a needed reminder to enjoy the little things. Bree Bagley, Spring 2019 |
snow coming down |
sweat drips Evan Chastain This one reminds me of shoveling snow back home. It’s always a funny feeling to be so cold yet still manage to break a sweat. I really like the ellipsis before “forever.” Without, I would think the author meant they would be shoveling for hours, but now I see it as the author maybe saying they will always live in an area where they will be forced to shovel. I love how the first two lines are so straight forward but then the third line leaves the whole thing up for interpretation. Benjamin Woodcock, Spring 2019 I relate to this haiku. This haiku took me back to a memory of having to shovel the snow around my car. This happened two weeks before school was back in session and Decatur got around nine inches of snow. The snow was nice, but having to shovel out the driveway and my car that was parked on the street was not a fun time. At first I didn't mind it, but after a while it felt like it was going to be an eternity before I was finally done. I was outside shoveling for so long, that I started to sweat. I finally thought I was done shoveling the snow and tried to move my car. My car ended up getting stuck and I had to do more shoveling. I was so frustrated. This haiku gives me that feeling of frustration. You like the snow until you have to shovel it. Shoveling is hard work which is also something I think about when reading this haiku. Emily Reeves, Spring 2019 |
car tail lights Evan Chastain (3) This one takes me back to freshman year while watching my parents drive away. I remember being so excited to have so much freedom the week leading up to it, but the moment they drove away, I remember feeling very nervous. This also makes me think about getting in a bad argument with someone you care about, then having to watch them drive away, not knowing when the next time you will be on good terms will be. Benjamin Woodcock, Spring 2019 |
hot turkey |
snowy roads |
winter break over |
small puddles Jakob Cihak |
January snow |
sneeze in the dormers Mikaela Vuglar (5) Once again, I loved this haiku and I believe that is because I was so easily able to relate to it. As the course evolves, it has become apparent to me that people enjoy haiku that they can relate to the most, which I am noticing even in my own reflections. I believe this is because haiku are created by an author about an event that occurred in a certain setting. The author purposely creates haiku to inflict these memories and feelings onto their reader, which is an observation I’d never made before this course. As for this haiku, I also have lived in a sorority house, so I instantly pictured the rows of beds, military style, just inches from one another. I could smell the sort of “grandma’s house” scent and hear the tossing and turning of my sisters. I enjoyed the second line because it was created to get readers who haven’t lived in a dormer, to understand just how many girls are basically cuddled together. And my favorite line, the third line. By saying “softly whispers bless you,” that entire line creates an overall sense of innocence that without, would not have been evoked. Bree Bagley, Spring 2019 |
laying flat in the snow Evan Chastain (4) |
trucks are loaded |
stepping in the shower |
frog jumps Connor Mendenhall (5) |
silence Connor Mendenhall (5) |
kate spade Breana Bagley I really liked this haiku because, I personally love Kate Spade and I remember being absolutely shocked when I found out she had committed suicide. Her products always have been very vibrant and cheerful, but I can't help but be extremely bothered that she was feeling so sad while creating such beautiful work. I think this haiku can be a symbolization for a lot of situations where you can never tell what exactly people are feeling. It is truly sad what someone can cover up. Julia Peterson, Spring 2019 |
friends to the |
Pinterest Julia Peterson (9) |
a cup of coffee Whitley Sapp (4) I chose this haiku, because I live for little moments like this at home, although they don't come very often. With the daily grind of getting everyone off to work and school, I have very little time to myself, and even less time for self-care. One of my favorite ways to spend those rare moments is in my kitchen with coffee and my thoughts. With this haiku, I imagine my own kitchen. It is bright and warm with the sun shining in through my south-facing windows. I can hear whatever music is playing on my current playlist for the day, and my dogs walking around, waiting for the children to return. I smell my coffee, which probably consists of more flavored creamer than coffee, and my Scentsy warmer. I taste the flavor of the season, which is peppermint mocha in the winter. Amanda Bivens, Spring 2019 This haiku reminds me a lot of how I spend much of my mornings, especially on the weekends when I am getting all of my homework done. I will sit down with a cup of coffee, turn on some light music, and do all of my homework for most of the upcoming week in one sitting. Some people dread doing their homework, but I get some gratification from doing it because I enjoy feeling a sense of accomplishment. It may just be a heightened state of stimulation from the coffee, but I tend to work much more efficiently under these circumstances. On the other hand, this haiku makes me sad because I think of someone sitting alone in a coffee shop, accompanied only by the sound of the smooth jazz playing in the background. Perhaps, they are waiting on someone to join them, or worse maybe that person has chosen not to arrive. However, without reading to deeply into it, this haiku reminds me of my pleasant, productive weekend mornings listening to music, drinking coffee, and doing my homework. Jake Cihak, Spring 2019 |
four in the afternoon |
high heels |
gratitude journal Ariya Hawkins This one caught my eye because of the warmth I got from this. Actually I got two feelings of warmth, one from the heat the man was feeling and the second was the warmth of this man. Based upon the gratitude journal and thankfulness for something as simple as heat, you can tell this man is focused on the things he has in his life compared to that which is missing. He has an outlook on life that not many people do especially in tough circumstances. It shows that no matter the circumstance, some people will find a positive in every situation. Kevin Miller, Spring 2019 |
severed animal tail Ariya Hawkins (3) Upon first reading, this haiku really stumped me because I couldn’t seem to make the connection between the “severed animal tail” and “frames a woman’s face.” However, after I read it a few times, the mouse started running on his wheel. I think the author is trying to make a statement about individuals who buy and wear animal fur clothing items. I imagine the animals tail wrapped around the woman’s neck, as a scarf, or maybe she is wrapping it vertically around her neck. As the haiku finishes, the author is sending an apology to the animal who was killed to make the scarf. They seem to have a deep-rooted respect and admirations for animals, and they feel a sense of sorrow and grief towards people who wear them as articles of clothing. Personally, I do not believe in harming animals to make clothing—specifically stripping them of their fur/skin. I do not think our dominance on the food chain warrants this type of cruelty. On the other hand, I think it is totally acceptable to sheer sheep for their wool because it grows back. As long as, they are given some sort of protective covering in the winter months. Jake Cihak, Spring 2019 |
pumpkin spice on sale Ariya Hawkins (8) |
familiar laughs Grace Ruddell (3) |
video game Julia Peterson (8) When reading this I instantly laughed because this explains a lot of my free time. When I’m not in school, doing homework, or hanging out with my friends, I tend to find myself playing video games. I do this especially since it's cold outside. My game of choice is fortnite, which most people have heard of. Rene Sanchez, Spring 2019 |
closing your eyes Evan Chastain This haiku leaves a lot unsaid, leaving much room for interpretation. I imagine myself at a friends house, or maybe on vacation—struggling to go to sleep. It brings me feelings of comfort, but anxiousness at the same time. I’ll often find myself lying awake with my eyes closed, if I am somewhere where I don’t normally sleep. Whitley Sapp, Spring 2019 |
eucalyptus Jakob Cihak (4) |
sweet tea Julia Peterson (4) I like this one because it takes me to my high school age Summer vacations. Everything seemed to be much simpler then. My best friends and I used to hang out on my deck, and drink absurd amounts of sweet tea. My mother still worked from home at this time, so she would enjoy the warm weather and brew the tea for us. Whitley Sapp, Spring 2019 |
my vegan fiancé Connor Mendenhall (8) This haiku was very funny to me! It made me imagine a guy bringing home his fiance. His parents are all excited to see her for maybe she and him live far way from the family’s home. However, the guy forgot to tell his parents that she’s vegan and it’s a whole silly situation at the dinner table. As a vegetarian, I understand how awkward situations can be when someone has prepared you a meal but you have to awkwardly decline but still be thankful for the thought! Grace Ruddell, Spring 2019 |
twinkling lights |
baby breath |
lukewarm soup Jakob Cihak (3) The sadness that lies in this haiku is that experience we have all been through where we prepare and work hard to please someone, and then they end up turning you away. The interpretation for the seat being empty could be that the person was stood up, or maybe the person is having a hard time eating the soup they prepared because the empty seat used to be filled. The words, "across the table," implies that the two people that once met at this table, or who were supposed to meet at the table were possibly in a relationship. Connor Mendenhall, Spring 2019 |
black smoke billowing |
fire crackles |
fake smile Mikaela Vuglar (6) |
the weight of my bag |
i wake up Amanda Bivens (4) |
the wrong turn . . . |
stiff legs |
long boat ride |
dandelions in a plastic cup |
black dots dancing |
oak tree Mikaela Vuglar (12) I find it interesting that this haiku allows us as the readers to actively question the oak tree. This tree in particular must be incredibly resilient, to still be holding onto it's leaves longer than any of the others. The lines of this haiku almost make the reader seem cynical in comparison to this oak tree, since the reader (or at least this questioning voice) is essentially urging the oak tree to give up. However this only highlights the strength and optimism of this tree, and can be an example to us of how to continue "holding on" despite the challenges we face. Ariya Hawkins, Spring 2019 I love this haiku because of the phrase, "why are you holding on." Who is the author talking to? The oak tree? Or perhaps the oak tree is where a relationship was formed, broken off, etc. This haiku is so interesting because of who the author is referring to holding on. Maybe the author is addressing the one leaf that has not fallen off yet. "Leaves are falling." So, how many leaves are left on the tree? What makes those leaves so adamant to stay on the tree and live longer? Connor Mendenhall, Spring 2019 |
old friends Benjamin Woodcock (10) One thing that I love about this haiku is the memories it evokes for me. It makes me think of long nights that I spent with my friends back home, having the same old conversations about the same old things, partly because it's something that we can all share even when we've been away from each other for a long time. It makes me think of times when we have those minor lulls in conversation, when we don't quite know exactly what to say, or why a particular event was so important to us at a certain time. It's certainly a bit of a disappointing feeling, and I think that the mention of the absence of laughter in this haiku really reflects that disappointing emotion. The inclusion of the word "struggle" with that remembering shows that the people in the room are at least trying to recall what gave them joy, but sometimes we can't always gain that feeling back. Ariya Hawkins, Spring 2019 When I picture this I see me and my friends from back home when we finally get back together on a break from school and we catch back up and we mention something from before school and then we cant remember what is was but we are laughing so hard we start crying and have a hard time stopping. Daryann Birt, Spring 2019 This haiku gives a sense of sadness. This haiku makes me reflect on the relationships in my life. My friends from high school were my family. I graduated from a class of 18. We were a family. We cried together in sad times, and we were happy for each other when great things were happening. We did and went through everything together. As we graduated and everyone ventured out to their next adventure, things changed. Relationships with one another are no longer as strong as they used to be, some of us are not even friends anymore, and we do not talk to each other as much. When we do get together, it feels like strangers getting together. We just have the memories to talk about and remember and laugh about. This haiku gives me that sad feeling. It gives the sense that everything has changed and it will never be like it used to be. Emily Reeves, Spring 2019 This haiku sort of hit home for me. Since I am a senior, I haven't been home in a while since I stay here during the summer. I do really miss my friends back at home and when I do go home, we often find each other thinking about times when we had fun in high school or whenever. It almost feels like some of the memories are faded now and that's why I liked this haiku so much. Julia Peterson, Spring 2019 |
hot tea |
unfriendly tickle in throat Ariya Hawkins (6) |
© 2019, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.