Haiku Kukai 1 Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Spring 2017
dawn to dusk |
no reply Amanda Donohoe (6) Since I am recently single, this one hit a little too close to come. While I understood why some students could read this as dramatic, I understood the simplicity behind the action (or lack thereof). I liked how the reason was the first line and the consequences followed. The unique structure gave this haiku an interesting punch and made it especially powerful and heartfelt. I also enjoyed how it could go multiple directions. This could be a haiku about a romantic partner, deceased friend or relative. It really just depends on the reader. Andie |
Children play but |
paint chips |
lying on the couch |
pull the blinds Andrea Burns (6) This specific haiku reminds me of my mornings. It's like a process to wake up and pulling the blinds gets me up. The sun rays come in and burn my eyes. But it's a necessary step because without the sun it would be so hard to get out of bed. The next step is to wipe the eyes and get out of bed. That said, the purpose of getting out of bed is to start the day. I liked how this haiku flowed and it was relatable to my morning routine. Kate |
oversized t-shirts Kyle Kite (7) |
another year |
deep in the woods Kyle Kite (8) This brings me back to high school where we had a huge bonfire for our homecoming football game. This was my senior year since it was a tradition for seniors to break the wood from an "outhouse" that was made by some random person. The wood was then set on fire and there was a huge bonfire. You could feel the heat from a long distance away. It was out in the country and I remember driving all the way out there in the dark and having such a good time. Nicholas K. This haiku drew my attention right away because of the colors that come to mind. “Big fire ablaze” brings vibrant shades of orange to the scene as a speaker jams to Kenney Chesney and Eric Church. I imagine being surrounded by trees on a cool October night with friends, drinking Coors Light and reminiscing on past times. This haiku really lets my mind run wild. Nick R.
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winter break is here |
musty room Amanda Donohoe (4) |
rays of sunlight |
early morning silence Jordan Oelze (7) I imagine the feeling of coming back home from sneaking out of the house. I imagine the grogginess of it being about 5 in the morning. I can feel the fear that my parents are going to be sitting in the living room waiting to talk to me. I feel the happiness of spending a good night out despite having to sneak out to do so. I can feel the cold tiles underneath my feet as I am sneaking to my room. Kyle K. This was my favorite haiku from our first kukai. It has a sense of guilt to it. It reminds me of being in high school and going through that rebellious phase. I imagine a teenager sneaking back home in the early morning. Maybe they went out after their parents told them no, so they have to be very careful when they open the door. Since it's early, every sound is heightened. They made it this far, so the last thing they want is to get caught. Emily |
cereal crunching Jordan Oelze (6) This haiku brought me right back to high school because my mom always drove me to school. I would always hate getting up. My mom would always rush me as well. I imagine eating Captain Crunch because that is my favorite cereal. I have a big glass of orange juice and my vitamin next to the bowl of cereal. I can hear my mom calling my name to hurry up so we aren't late. My mom is never late so we would have some arguments sometimes when I was being slow. The crunching and jingle make this haiku fun to read and listen to. Chase |
tall brick houses |
the heat of the sun |
ball drops at midnight |
layers of clothes |
paperwork Samuel Miller (6) |
another January Samuel Miller |
when did my mom Samuel Miller (3) To be honest, this is probably one of the most depressing haiku I have ever read. To me, it tells the story of a strained relationship between a mother and child. I feel sorrow for these two because when I think about the relationship I have with my mother, I think about all the things that she is to me; she is more than my mother, she is my best friend, my biggest supporter, my entire world. When a mom is just a mother, the relationship is not whole. It seems like the child is yearning for a stronger relationship and better bond with his or her mother. Brittany |
early morning Brittany Walsh (5) |
street lamps show |
cover of night Brittany Walsh (8) This haiku takes me to a tranquil natural hot spring in the mountains, where the floor is made of smooth and pretty stones. I imagine I'm with someone of importance to me and that we're taking a late night dip when she suggests that we do it naked. I can feel the cool water crisply touching my skin, and also the heat of her pressed against me. I can feel the adrenaline that someone could cross us in these waters at any moment. Kyle K. |
through the holes Emily Chudzik (6) |
a powerful night |
heat on |
drink up sweet love Olivia Gonzalez (4) I find this haiku to be very lovable and special because as someone in a new relationship, I am in the honeymoon phase where I cannot get enough of my significant other. This individual is very special to me and even having been together such a short time, I find it difficult to say no to this person. The way this haiku is written is very smooth and it flows very well. I love how the second line leads off to the third line, they connect very well. I also like the first line and the word choice of “sweet love” because it sounds so pure and innocent. Altogether, I think this haiku is very well written and I really enjoy its simplicity. Brittany |
as i was waiting Olivia Gonzalez (4) |
under my blankets Olivia Gonzalez (3) |
in the microwave Caitlyn Latshaw (3) I like this one a lot because everyone can relate to this! There's been at least one time where we reach into the microwave excitedly for whatever we just made, and our hand is burnt by the hot bowl or cup. Or we hurriedly take a bite out of the warm food and the roof of our mouth is burnt! I really appreciate the use of the exclamation point at the end. I haven't really seen a lot of punctuation used in haiku thus far, and it stuck out to me right away. It's used very cleverly because the burning sensation we feel is very sudden and abrupt, much like the final line of this haiku. Jake |
from young and immature |
no longer a kid but Jacob Melssen (3) When I was in high school I started taking vitamins again as to not get sick. They were horse pills. Literally, I had a hard time taking them because they were huge and tasted disgusting. As a joke one day in the store, I picked up the gummy vitamins and put them into my mom's shopping cart. She said “I'll buy them for you if it means you'll take your vitamins.” And that my friends is the story of how I, a now twenty year old, started taking gummy vitamins in high school because I couldn't take adult ones. Amanda |
the sound of snow Brittany Walsh (2) |
black coffee Brittany Walsh (4) The feeling I get from this haiku is an early morning conversation with a family member. Having a conversation that is after maybe a fight or some disagreement the night before. Both people drinking their coffee talking about something small to change the mood of their relationship with each other. Nicholas K. One of the biggest reasons that I liked this haiku was the amount of sensory input I got from just the first line. Coffee leaves a lot up to the imagination but black coffee becomes something else entirely. You smell the pure, rich scent of the coffee beans, you see the steam rising from the cup, you can feel its warmth in your hands when you hold it, and you can taste that strong bitter flavor too. All of those feelings are enhanced when the context of the situation is thrown in there as well. The coffee may well be the only thing keeping you from bolting, because this sounds like a really awkward situation to me. Maybe they're on a date, or maybe they're talking to someone they haven't spoken to in years. It could be any number of things, but there is a certain tension in here that is really tangible and it makes for a really interesting read. Sam I first see the abyss of black coffee as I look down. Then surrounding the coffee is the conversation of most likely a couple, but possibly just friends. I can almost smell the coffee and hear the conversation. I think the haiku may be set up as a bit tense, but the statement of breaking the barrier changes the overall mood. Paige I love how this haiku is very concise and gets to the point. The words she chose display an image right away because they connect. I also like the repetition of the words that start with B's. It's very well written and it reminds me of the conversations you have with someone new. People go somewhere to meet up and a place like Starbucks or a coffee shop is a nice place to go to break the barrier. Kate |
feeling the heat |
up in the lifeguard chair |
sharpening pencils |
clinking dishes |
summer sun |
chicken sandwich Jordan Oelze (5) |
box after box |
muscle aches |
sweaty brow Paige Dorsel (2) |
big heavy boxes Paige Dorsel (3) |
out by the sunset Olivia Gonzalez (9) I immediately fell in love with this haiku. It brought me right back to my first relationship as staying out late with the one you felt a connection with was the first milestone. I remember when looking at the stars was one of the first spontaneous adventures I had in my collegiate career. I think most students would agree that it's a pretty special occurrence. Now, I am merely speculating that this is about a special person, but it reflects on a time when we share special moments. I know I became infatuated with such happenings. That is how we make connections nowadays. We tell secrets and we share spontaneous and special moments that invigorate our relationships. Andie I can see the beautiful colors of the sunset filling the sky. Looking up at it reminds the author of a time she was with someone else admiring the stars. This makes me feel happy and get the feeling of being at home. As in, at home with someone else. The imagery shifts quickly as you picture the sky darkening enough to show the stars. Paige |
my head floats |
ice skating rink |
five days of break |
cutting oranges as |
frozen box ‘o books |
beads of sweat Amanda Donohoe (5) This one stuck out to me as well because I can also relate. In dance class, I'm constantly sweating and it makes me feel disgusting. Although I should look at my sweat as a sign of hard work and dedication, I do feel pretty gross after 3 hours of dancing a day. The imagery of a pearl necklace, however, is very elegant. Especially if used to describe a female dancer or ballerina, the pearl necklace of sweat can symbolize grace and poise that comes from all the hard work. Jake |
figure eights |
cabbage head |
part the sea |
papers and papers Kate Gebultowicz This haiku reminded me of every single college student and even professor struggling with stress and everyday school work. We are always on the go and always trying to squeeze in homework assignments and papers left and right. This also reminds me of this class as well by writing so many haiku's then reading them and telling yourself that it sounds stupid or dumb and scratching it off and re-writing a new one. That being said, going threw stress in this class is much more relaxing then any other because you can actually portray your stress and feelings in your haiku so it makes creating haiku even easier. Kyle M. |
damp shirt with |
frigid toes |
pristine snow |
cheers from the crowd Nick Retherford This poem took me to a hockey game back when my brother used to play. In hockey when one player scores three goals everyone throws their hats on the ice. This poem took me to my brother's sophomore year in high school. He scored three goals and when he did, almost the whole crowd threw their hats up into the air and down onto the ice. He was so excited and we were all excited for him. Caitlyn |
she said no Kate Gebultowicz (5) |
plates cleared |
bare feet on a cold |
blossoms
|
wind chill |
popping popcorn |
stillness |
icing on cake Kate Gebultowicz (2) |
swimming pool Kyle Kite (12) |
sweat drips down |
starting the school year |
cars flying by Kyle McMahon I imagine on a hot summer day, driving in my best friend's jeep, top down, windows down, everything free. We are driving on a country road and passing by a lot of cars and just enjoying the hot sun. We are listening to our favorite band, Rebelution, and singing at the top of our lungs, being crazy and obnoxious young college girls. I enjoyed this haiku because it made me miss summer days, being tan and most of all being with my best friend! Olivia |
blue shades |
watching the news |
snow is gone |
flowers blooming |
hot summer day |
spring walk Nicholas Kemp (5) I imagine myself going on a Sunday morning run at the park. It is early spring, about high 50 degrees and I am running about 3 miles. I start running and it is not a casual run and I am breathing kind of heavy. I pass by walkers, runners, and bikers. Every time I pass a person I always say “hi” and it makes me have the extra push or motivation when others also say hi back. Sometimes when another runner is passing, the “head nod” or wave is always a proper gesture to do. It is a proper gesture to do because runners who are running hard cannot really speak because they are out of breath. This is one of the small things I enjoy in life while running outside and enjoying the view, air, and other beautiful sightings on a run. Olivia |
count down begins |
damp and uncomfortable |
headlights lead the way Nick Retherford (4) |
married by December Olivia Gonzalez |
once again Olivia Gonzalez (7) I liked this Haiku because I was able to relate to it very well. The poem take me to every single time that I leave my house. It doesn't matter if I am going to school or work or out to eat, he will always be right on my heels till I walk out the door. I have started keeping a jar of treats out side the door in the garage so when I leave the house I can turn around and give him some before I close the door. As I drive off I always look at my front window and see him standing there watching me drive away. He makes me so sad to leave him. Caitlyn |
chai tea Olivia Gonzalez ( (4) |
nervous start |
the mother |
bright moon Chase Smith (2) |
sweat and exhaustion . . . Emily Chudzik (2) |
never fully unpacked Emily Chudzik (6) This one is really easy for me to relate to because it perfectly describes my room. I'm terrible about that type of thing and so I still have clothes that aren't unpacked. In fact, I have only unpacked the bare essentials. Although the haiku doesn't necessarily suggest this, I imagine my room with clothes all over the floor in different piles such as clean, dirty, and stuff I can re-wear. It really speaks to the college lifestyle. Nick R. |
game show network |
ginger bread cookies Amanda Donohoe (11) This haiku immediately stood out to me because the third line takes a dramatic turn. I was not expecting that line to exist the way it does because of how innocent and sweet the previous lines are but it really tells a story. The first two lines set the scene of Christmas time where grandmother and grandchild are innocently baking cookies. But, the third line shows how the conversations may have taken a different direction when the narrator admits that his or her grandmother is a racist. I connect to this because I am able to spend quality time with my grandparents, but at the end of the day, my grandparents grew up in a completely different time and culture, which is why they think the way that they do. Brittany Everyone will probably write about this haiku, but I think that's because this haiku speaks to all of us in a very familiar way. The racist older relative is present in every family, and depending on the kind of family you have, there may be more than one. One of the reasons I dread family gatherings, especially around the holidays when I see a huge amount of family, is that someone inevitably brings up a controversial topic that sets someone else off. When I was in middle school learning Spanish my grandmother would get angry with me for practicing it if she was within earshot. My grandmother has an irrational hatred of what she specifically terms “Mexicans” because she was laid off from the Eureka Company once upon a time and supposedly her job was given to an illegal immigrant. I have no idea how true this story is and I doubt that what she says is exactly what happened, but no matter what anyone tells her she is adamant in her prejudice and hatred. My own experiences mean that I can relate to this haiku a lot and it feels good to know that I'm not the only one who has family members that are stuck in their own ways. Sam |
ninety five degrees |
overhead fan |
the swimming pool |
unlock the door |
streetlights come on |
sore arms |
pumpkin spiced everything |
young love overcomes all |
I squeeze her tight Paige Dorsel (4) This one instantly reminded me of my girlfriend and I and our relationship with each other. My girlfriend Amanda is so sweet to me and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with her and it seems as if we never have enough time to actually truly enjoy each other. Before you know it, the summer is coming to an end and it is time to say goodbye and head bank to Decatur here at Millikan University. Even though I will be coming back home every now and then and she will visit me here and there but those are always the toughest goodbyes. This haiku really reminded me of those farewells and made me appreciate our relationship even more. Kyle M. |
doodling in her notes Paige Dorsel (5) As I read this haiku I am immediately taken back to sixth grade. I just discovered that a boy has a crush on me. Everyone is talking about what will happen next between us. It is extremely hard to concentrate in math class, because I keep thinking about him. I was never great at math in the first place, but now it seems that I'll never learn pre-algebra. All I can do is draw little flowers and hearts all over my notebook when suddenly the lesson is over and I have taken absolutely no notes. Amanda This haiku is really sweet. It's easy to picture a young girl drawing in her notebook, trying to distract herself from her crush. Either he's in her class and she's trying not to make eye contact, or he's on her mind and she doesn't want to think about him. It brings me back to junior high. A lot of girls used to doodle their crush's initials, myself included, and it's funny to think back on that. Emily
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footprints Paige Dorsel (4) This haiku is very mysterious to me. I like the way the six snowy steps flows. I imagine the snowy footsteps being a big boot shape because it must be cold. This haiku also makes me feel cold because of the temperature and the farewell. They maybe could have been visiting a graveyard in the winter and they are saying farewell to the deceased. The mood of this haiku is very depressing too. Chase |
winter chill |
the Christmas tree Samuel Miller (5) This haiku is very interesting to be because it reminds me of winter break and the time in between Christmas and New Year's. The days in between those holidays are very interesting because one is still happy from Christmas and is looking forward to the New Year. Taking down the Christmas tree is a sign that the holiday season is over, which is why many people dread removing the ornaments and taking the entire tree down. The tree is not lit up because Christmas is over, but is still standing because no one is motivated enough to take it down. Brittany |
too long of a break |
© 2017, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.