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Haiku
By Alvin B. Cruz

Wherever it takes me... paper boat
Upon reflecting on this, I realized that many people can relate to it. For me, this haiku is a reminder to go with the flow of life. Just like a paper boat floating down a river, it doesn't have control over where it's headed, yet it still moves forward. The boat might be alone, drifting without a clear destination, but it keeps going, surviving whatever comes its way. This makes me think that sometimes, in life, we might feel uncertain or out of control, but that doesn't mean we can't keep moving. The paper boat represents resilience and trust in the journey, even if it’s unclear or difficult. It shows that even when we’re alone or face challenges, we can continue, as long as we embrace the flow of life rather than resist it. In many ways, it’s a reminder that we don’t always need a set plan or direction to feel at peace. Instead, we can trust that as long as we keep moving, we'll find our way. Just like the boat, we can survive and grow stronger, no matter where life takes us.

Climbing roses
I will scale the wall to touch you
For me, the "climbing roses" represent someone who is determined to pursue something or someone they love. Just like climbing roses that grow and reach for something higher, a person who loves someone will do whatever it takes to get closer to them or to make them happy. This could mean putting in the effort to take care of them, support them, or simply be there for them, no matter the challenges. The idea of "scaling the wall" shows that love isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you have to face obstacles and work hard to reach your goal. But just like the climbing roses that keep growing upwards, love requires persistence, patience, and effort. It’s about doing everything you can to stay connected, even if it means overcoming difficulties or making sacrifices. The image of the roses also makes me think of how love is something that grows over time, just as roses need care and attention to bloom fully.

Punching a hole on a train ticket lonesome traveler
summer's end a child runs to his fallen kite
This haiku makes me think about being alone and how time keeps moving forward. The first part, "punching a hole on a train ticket," shows a traveler who is alone and starting a journey. It reminds me that sometimes in life, we have to go forward on our own, even if we feel lonely or uncertain. The traveler has to punch the ticket to keep going, even if they don’t know exactly what lies ahead. The second part, "lonesome traveler," emphasizes that the person is alone, which makes me think about how sometimes we have to face things by ourselves, whether we want to or not. But being alone doesn’t mean we can’t keep moving forward. The last line, "summer's end a child runs to his fallen kite," is about the end of something. It makes me think about how everything in life changes like how summer ends, and things we care about might be lost, like the child’s kite. The child running to get the kite back shows that even when we lose something, we try to get it back or move forward, just like the child doesn’t give up.

Sharing one umbrella - the person more in love gets wet Keisajin
It reminds me of what love really is and how sometimes, one person in a relationship gives more than the other. "Sharing one umbrella" shows that two people are trying to protect each other, but "the person more in love gets wet" means that one person might end up sacrificing more, even though they care deeply. It’s like when someone loves another person so much, they are willing to take the harder part or get hurt to make the other person happy. This makes me reflect on how love can sometimes feel unbalanced or unfair. Even when we care for someone, we might end up giving more, and receiving less. But it also shows how love can be about giving, even if it means facing difficulties.

Lonely summer only the rain speaks to me
This haiku makes me think about loneliness and how, sometimes, we feel like we’re disconnected from the world around us. It makes me think that the rain is the only thing the person can connect with, like it’s the only thing that understands their feelings. It reflects how sometimes, we might feel like no one else is around or understands us, and the only comfort we get comes from nature or the things around us. The rain might not talk in a real way, but it feels like it’s offering some kind of company or relief to the loneliness.
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