Haiku Kukai 5- Spring Break Favorites
Global Haiku • Millikin University • Spring 2014
warm spring evening Dillon Damarian (2) |
the ides of march— Jackie Dumitrescu (2) |
sun rise on the beach Randy Brooks (6) After seeing an experience similar to this while in Rio de Janiero this summer, it was a particularly easy image for me to picture. Deciding that we wanted to experience a true Brazilian sunset, my friend Tori and I set our alarms to 5 a.m. to greet the day. With the help of lots of coffee and a strong desire to walk along the beach at dawn, we made our way the half-block to the shores of Copacabana, armed with our photography tools and cell phones. It was such a peaceful and serene feeling, and although we were one of the few on the beach, I was surprised to find a mother and father watching their child play on the sandy playground. I could not help but wonder if they had just woken or if they were still up from the night before—one can never be sure when it comes to the party-loving Brazilian culture. Lexi |
sitting on the rooftop Austin Evans (8) I think this is one of my favorite poems that we had in the kukai. I have always wanted a house that you can go out on through a window where you can just sit and hang out. That's a hangout spot that I have always wanted. The picture of hanging out with your friend and drinking some beers is just so relaxing. Its a place that I want to be RIGHT NOW. it kind of gives me a warm feeling thinking about this picture. In my head there is no doubt that it is summer, and that we are layin in the evening sun enjoying the fact that we have nothing to do. There is nothing better in my opinion! TJ |
Spring Break . . . Adam Falasz (3) |
spring break |
the hot tub’s bubbles stop Dillon Damarian (7) This haiku is comedy gold. The breaks are well timed and make the reading flow really smoothly. I can't help but chuckle with every reread. Jeremy |
long drive |
up in the loft room Jackie Dumitrescu (2) |
gently gently |
lunch with mom Heather Nigh This one was true, I'm sure, for most of us. The first thing I did when I got home was catch up with my parents. I told them stories that had happened since the last time I had talked to them. I also filled them in on my grade situation. They also offered encouragement and advice that always seems to help me. Kort |
on the line |
Professor Quirrel Aaron Fleming (4) |
shock and awe Adam Falasz (3) |
video games are fun |
long distance Debbie Vogel I enjoyed this haiku from the Spring Break Kukai because it was really relatable. My boyfriend and I did live apart for weeks at a time so we had to use Skype in order to see each other. Now when we go on breaks, like over Spring Break, we live apart and can only talk over the phone. It also reminds me of my niece because I Facetime with her while I'm at school. She is only 11 months old, but when my mom shows her the phone she knows it's me and smiles. I am a familiar face to her. Heather |
cacti Blaine Buente I liked this haiku because for some reason it reminded me of central Illinois which is my home. Everyone who leaves this place (many leave and return) complains about it being nothing but corn fields. So I see the haiku: corn fields As the song goes, “this is where I was born, and this is where I’ll die.” So I could not help but chuckle a little after reading this haiku when I remember all of the people in my school say, “Why would you want to stay here?” Dillon |
4 am |
7 episodes behind Debbie Vogel I liked this haiku especially because I can relate to it. It also gets its point across without actually saying what it is talking about. I know over break I watched quite a bit of youtube videos and netflix. It so cleverly portraits what it is talking about without actually spelling it out. Alex |
the cool air Austin Evans (6) |
St. Patty’s Day Adam Falasz (3) |
time spent |
homeless man Adam Falasz (6) This haiku painted a really good picture. Rather than feeling sorry for the homeless man, the way he is portrayed in this piece makes me feel as though he is very relaxed. It’s almost a stark contrast against the “hustle and bustle” of the whole transit system. The bus that everyone rides in a hurry to get to work is where this man is in no hurry. In a way, life is just very simple and peaceful for this homeless man. Austin |
the river dyed all green |
Alex Brase (3) |
months of waiting |
texting Alex Brase (4) |
back at home |
pink hair |
morning overcast I liked this haiku because it reminds me of all of the times I have gone fishing. I pictured a person standing alone, under a very cloudy sky, but not raining, just casting into the water. This is how I enjoy fishing. I like to go alone, and I usually like to go very early in the mornings on cloudy days. It's usually nice and cool, and calm. Days like these have been my favorite fishing trips. This haiku brought me back to many of these times, and gave me something to look forward to this summer. Aaron This haiku reminds me of fishing on Carlyle Lake (near my house). I fish there every summer with my dad. We usually fish everywhere, but occasionally, we fish on the dam. I imagine a cool, calm, and early morning with the clouds barely letting the rising sun shine on the lake. Unfortunately, I am not the best fisherman yet, so I will periodically cast under the dam and get caught on the rocks (overcast). Blaine |
morning walk |
raised tee box |
beautiful spring day Dillon Damarian (7) |
my last day of break Austin Evans |
not wanting to leave Blaine Buente (5) This was my favorite haiku mainly because of how it can have a double meaning. This could apply to both the beginning and the end of a break. Right before break starts, students don't really want to leave school and not have their freedom, but at the same time they want to go home. Then, this could also apply to the end of break right before it's time to start classes again; students may not want to leave the comfort of being in their house, but they want to return to school, which is home. It is interesting to see this, and myself connecting to this as well, how we have a home where we grew up, but over time school becomes our home too. It is like we are stuck in between two places, like stuck between childhood and adulthood. This is almost like saying we are not quite ready on being completely alone yet, but at the same time, we are too old to be with our parents. I really liked this haiku because I can relate to this, in that I love living on my own here at school, so much it has become like another home. But, then there are times that I do want to go home to my parents. So, it is very fitting. Jenna |
walk into church Debbie Vogel (7) |
fog horn bellows Kort Branscome (7) |
my reflection stares back Adam Falasz (6) |
fresh paint |
golf course |
lesson plans |
she catches him Adam Falasz (6) This is obviously a comedic haiku, and it makes me laugh every time I read it. It's kind of the classic downfall for guys, being caught by their girlfriends looking at the wrong thing, and this has been a focal point of comedy for years because of it. There is honestly nothing more awkward. Not that I have ever had the experience myself. However, I still like the picture that I can see in my head of the whole scene. The indignant look on the girl's face, coupled with the look of shame on the guy's, and the back of the yoga-pants-clad girl in the background, walking away. It just makes me smile. TJ |
furniture askew |
complete darkness Jeremy Maxwell The sounds of crickets and cicadas surround me as I try to fall asleep in the giant camping tent. After a long day of hiking, fishing and swimming, my body is ready for rest but my eyes and my mind just won't give in yet. Finally, I get up as quietly as I can, step over my brother's sleeping body on my way to the tent door, and slowly open the zipper. A fresh breeze of air passes by as I step out into the moonlight. Here, near the top of the mountain, you can look down upon the surrounding towns in the valley, admire the lights, and gaze at the stars with the noise, the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Jackie
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the squeak Kort Branscome (2) |
grinding and popping |
leaping shot Jeremy Maxwell A lot of my spring break was spent watching basketball with my dad and brother. This reminds me exactly of that. A block like the one described in this haiku would be exactly the type of play that would make us cheer and discuss it. I love sports moments like that. Kort |
muddy bottoms |
barefoot Lexi DeSollar (4) |
school can wait T.J. Holmes (6) |
helping dad— Lexi DeSollar (4) |
micro-brewery |
late night with Jimmy Fallon Kort Branscome (2) |
pull of the handle |
scratchy and disturbing |
sun rise |
looking up from Netflix Lexi DeSollar(7) |
sand between my toes T.J. Holmes (3) |
the clerk rings up |
spring break |
I watched her burn Austin Evans (5) |
video chat: Lexi DeSollar I enjoyed this haiku because I could relate to it. Though my conversations about God did not transpire over video chat, I did text a friend about the sermon I listened to at church. We ended up discussing the different implications of what was said and how that might have related back to the prophecies and God's ultimate plan. Even though we were hours apart, I felt blessed to be able to have such a meaningful conversation with my friend. When the conversation was over we bid each other good night. Before I fell asleep, I thanked God once again for such a wonderful friend. Debbie |
Corona on the beach T.J. Holmes (6) |
so many freckles Randy Brooks (7) I greatly enjoy haiku that could be interpreted in different ways. After reading this haiku, I was puzzled because I didn’t know how the author meant it to be interpreted. The first time I looked at the poem, I saw a pretty redhead with lots of freckles in a nice bathing suit simply sitting on the beach enjoying life. However, when I read it the second time, I noted that there could be an underlying tone of disapproval in the voice. It could possibly mean that the young redhead has lots of freckles to cover up, but she was being immodest in only covering a few with her bikini. Both are a fun way to read the haiku and both bring a smile to my face and very strong imagery to my mind. Finally, I would like to point out that by changing the word “bikini” to “swimsuit” the entire haiku is changed, the vision in my head is altered, and the poem is no longer effective. Adam |
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his face smiles at me |
© 2014, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.