Haiku Kukai 03 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Winter 2024
1 the dryer Tabitha Barowsky I really enjoyed the comforting feeling present in this haiku. With the current weather we're experiencing, a blanket heated up in the dryer or fresh out from being cleaned would be wonderful. You can smell the freshness and the lingering detergent smell. I think there's also a smell of the warm blanket itself. It's so different than when a blanket is no longer warm but still freshly cleaned. The comforting feeling associated with the blanket then is associated with the 'for two'. Two people trying to get warm or just hanging out with one another underneath a warm and fresh blanket. The relationship is comforting as well. McKenna Beals, Winter 2024 This one makes me think of cuddling up with my girlfriend under the freshly dry bedding being so warm. I could not think of a better feeling, especially right now with the cold outside and without heat and hot water. It may make me a bit envious. Dawsen Loafman, Winter 2024 This haiku makes me feel warmth. As it is so cold outside, putting the blanket into the dryer before you sit down to relax then to sit down with the blanket cuddled up and warm. I liked this haiku a lot because it makes me think of warmth, I loved when blankets or towels just come out of the dryer and they are so warm. Kaylee Holland, Winter 2024 |
2 dog-earred Tabitha Barowsky |
3 three in the morning Addy Kirkpatrick This haiku shows an emotion of a relationship. Both of the individuals in the relationship up all night waiting from that message from the other. I can see the light in the eyes of the individual that sees the name on the phone at 3am. This haiku shows time, image, and emotion. I love it. Kaylee Holland, Winter 2024 This Haiku just drew me in so much. I can relate to it on many levels. Most of the time I am looking at someone's name at three in the morning because we are in a deep talk and I just cannot stop thinking about them. Even when the conversation is over I still stay up thinking about it. Noah Meyers, Winter 2024 |
4 the buttered popcorn Addy Kirkpatrick I have only been on one date in my entire life. And it was to see Sonic the Hedgehog in theaters. I was in high school so it was very immature. I spent the whole date just waiting for him to even try to hold my hand (which he didn’t). Tabitha Barowsky, Winter 2024 |
5 you once Addy Kirkpatrick I love reading love stories like this Haiku. I feel Like I can relate to them on so many levels and make it easy to write about them. In this specific Haiku, someone is talking real angry over a past relationship. Broken promises lead to heart break and someone once called that person their forever and ended it. Noah Meyers, Winter 2024 |
6 there is a mug Tabitha Barowsky |
7 swirling island cave Keegan Gephart This haiku could set up for a wonderful imaginative response. The swirling cave imagery makes me picture deep dark water pounding against the rocks. As the tide comes up the cave is hidden away from all besides what resides there. The sea dragon resting underneath the waves. I love the picture that you get in your head when reading this haiku. I can imagine maybe blue scales that the light reflects, but it also camouflages it beneath the water. McKenna Beals, Winter 2024 |
8 January chill Keegan Gephart |
9 ample little notes adorn |
10 chillin’ with my cat |
11 the glistening stone McKenna Beals I loved this I could completely picture a girl sitting at work or maybe she’s out with her friends and she’s in her feels and she starts to get sad about her husband possibly because she just misses him and the big ring on her finger is just a silent reminder that he is there with her, and he’ll be waiting on her. Kobe Roulx, Winter 2024 |
12 x and square McKenna Beals I like this piece as I am a gamer. They are playing a PlayStation controller and say they have no time. They could be very bad procrastinators, hence why they are playing video games. They might be dragging a group or their own grades down by making excuses. The other scenario I could imagine is that they have no time to play video games and they wish they could play games. College and work could both be time consuming so they cannot finish a game they bought eight months ago. Hopefully they either stop procrastinating or find time to finish the game if they are swamped with work. Keegan Gephart, Winter 2024 |
13 mirrored walls |
14 a couple drinks Kobe Roulx |
15 an old porch swing |
16 stillness in the room, |
17 Sunday relaxation Kaylee Holland |
18 feeling my breath Kobe Roulx |
19 I stare across the table Dawsen Loafman |
20 sitting in the parking lot Dawsen Loafman |
21 a new spill here, Dylan Hill I love the myth of Sisyphus. It really represents cleaning your house. No matter how much you clean, there are always more messes to be made. About a week ago, I did a bunch of dishes and the idea of making food and dirting more dishes was the worst thing in the world. So I got in my car and bought food so I could just throw away the stuff. Tabitha Barowsky, Winter 2024 I think the message of this haiku is pretty clear. In life there are many things that are repetitive. Spilling something and washing clothes are two examples they use here. They use Sisyphus as a metaphor to the repetitiveness as the boulder rolls down and he pushes it back up for eternity. Even though we do mundane tasks we have to find other things in life to make us happy. Sometimes we also have to appreciate the smaller more repetitive tasks as well. Thinking “doing the laundry does not change the outcome, it changes the outlook on life for the worse. Keegan Gephart, Winter 2024 |
22 I could have stayed up Dawsen Loafman |
23 retro roller rink Dylan Hill |
24 hand in hand Dylan Hill |
25 last minute Carlene Hawkins |
26 early morning Carlene Hawkins I chose this haiku as one of my favorites because of the quickly approaching date of May 19th. That will be the day I walk across stage with my Bachelor of Science degree. I have mixed emotions about that day. I am so excited to begin the next chapter of my life of stepping out into the work force. However, I do not have a job set up yet after graduation and that gives me anxiety. I will say I am excited and feel butterflies when I think I will not be an undergraduate college student anymore. Addy Kirkpatrick, Winter 2024 I can picture myself graduating from college in this haiku and just thinking about that one day when you finally graduate and all your hard work pays off its just a very relieving feeling but to walk that stage and finally getting to wear the cap and gown must give you butterflies and a bittersweet happiness. Kobe Roulx, Winter 2024 |
27 the tv plays |
28 reading for hours Carlene Hawkins This Haiku is so me. I read so often, not as often as I wish I did, but I do whenever I get the chance. I will always get really comfy and cozy and end up falling asleep before I can even finish a chapter. My favorite part of the summer is when I’m reading in my bed with my windows open. My windows face west, so I get the sunsets and just looking up from a book and seeing how dark my room has gotten is always one of the best feelings, because I don’t always notice it when I am wrapped up in a book. Tabitha Barowsky, Winter 2024 |
29 around the poker table Noah Meyers |
30 found the one |
31 in a thrift store Noah Meyers |
32 one on the game Hayley Fitzpatrick |
33 spring dance Hayley Fitzpatrick I also like this Haiku a lot because you can interpret it in many different ways. The way that I saw it was that, there was a relationship that has ended and when the spring dance comes around she cannot stop thinking about who he would be taking. To her surprise, he takes the prom queen herself. Like who can compete with her. Noah Meyers, Winter 2024 |
34 start the car |
35 from the rafters Gannon Harshman I enjoyed this haiku because of the varying perspectives there may be. It also gives a wonderful visual. I liked thinking about this haiku from the perspective of the light operator in the rafter. Always putting the spotlight on the musician, but they are never acknowledged by anyone. They are in the darkness of the rafters never noticed as an integral part of the show. They're trained to make sure the light is always on the musician. If they fail, then they may be easily replaceable. It's kind of a sad perspective, but maybe they prefer it that way because they don't want to be the center of attention. Therefore, it could be comforting. McKenna Beals, Winter 2024 |
36 journal on the desk Addy Kirkpatrick |
37 opening the app Gannon Harshman |
38 new year’s resolutions Addy Kirkpatrick |
39 kindle book Addy Kirkpatrick |
40 a big bowl Tabitha Barowsky I chose this one because of the imagery and the sense of smell that came along with reading this haiku. To me I could smell the oatmeal cooking, the sweet smell of brown sugar because that is my choice of flavor. I also could see the blueberries and strawberries sitting in the oatmeal drizzled in honey. It made me hungry and excited to wake up tomorrow to make oatmeal for breakfast. Addy Kirkpatrick, Winter 2024 |
41 blackout dinner Tabitha Barowsky |
42 stacked weights |
43 face mask Tabitha Barowsky |
44 grown men Hayley Fitzpatrick |
45 now that she’s gone |
46 seven quarters later with |
47 sapphire earrings Addy Kirkpatrick |
48 sweat drips down my face Dawsen Loafman |
49 early morning run Carlene Hawkins |
50 salty ocean air Keegan Gephart |
51 west coast kelp |
52 watching my little brother Noah Meyers This one just made my heart melt. I do see my little brother as the little version of me and when I see him cheering me on at sporting events it makes me tear up a little bit. Just something about a younger sibling makes me want the absolute best for them, and getting to watch them grow up and go through similar situations you had to go through when you were younger is such a cool thing. Dawsen Loafman, Winter 2024 |
53 love bombs . . . McKenna Beals |
54 an apple McKenna Beals |
© 2024, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.