Haikus: Surviving the COVID-19 Challenge

My 'one on one' with Haiku writing started when when on a relatively warm day for January, it started snowing at school. That day I wrote this on the white board. Not accurately fitting the haiku profile, but it managed to generate a couple chuckles from my students. 

Since then, I have been refining my craft :)  

With the current online learning situation, motivating students and keeping them engaged has been the biggest hurdle for many of us in the teaching trenches. For the past three days, I have been trying to give some creative writing opportunities where the students are able to vent, express and reflect on the goings on in their surroundings as they cope with all the changes we have all been thrown into.

My second and third day this week, the writing challenge was to write Haikus. Both scholars and staff were asked to participate. Here are some of the responses. Can you guess who wrote what?

I love these nuggets
thoughts profound, yet short and sweet,
messages so neat

From Scholars:

Days seem extra long

Trying to keep myself busy

I want to go out

I'm done for today

Like rain, I shall come again

But for now, we wait

Unpleasant the break

Work it kills my happiness

When does ever end

Handling Challenges Haikus

With a sincere heart 

I must apologize for

My lack of action

For I have naught seen

Or have done any assignments

So I am sorry

The path I take while

In a journey so complex

Is a stubborn one 

With a mind of steel

I tread to the engagement 

Facing chastisement

I breathe and ponder

Comprehending my challenge

And I complete it 

Noctilucent eve

A whole, hardworking brain roars

at new challenges

Damp wood, Cloudy Skies

The sun hiding behind clouds

Will I rise one day?

It's just through mistakes

I learned where I went wrong but,
I still come out strong 

Wearing my armour 

I am ready for battle

Ready to conquer

I can use my strengths 

The spirit of a dragon

Ready to conquer

Dear Corona:

Hearing what you do 

Hurting people, harming them

Please just go away

Outbreak diseases

Why must you come for the world?

Disperse, Corona

To covid-19, you

Showed no remorse towards us

How do I go on?

You conquer the world

Will you ever stop spreading 

Your powers are strong 

From Teachers:

You are in my heart

You have known this from the start

Well wishes to you

Hallways are empty 

Your minds are starting to roam

Please learn while at home 

Sitting in the sun

Listening to the world fly

Grapes. Champagne. Oh my! 

School not on my mind, 

To my brain I’m being kind, 

Sanity I’ll find.

My wife is home too, 

Now so much I HAVE to do,

Dang Corona’s Flu!

Life like sleepless nights

Star gazing and wandering

Searching for sweet dreams

One day at a time

With no stress and no worries

Still blessed and thankful

Heart pounding quickly

Remembering your sweet face

Miss you so dearly

Masks and latex gloves,

Drive-thrus, no toilet paper,

‘Rona, is that you?

How are you motivating and engaging those around you?