I originally wrote a version of the above haiku a long while ago. This one’s different only in that I’ve changed two words (actually, just the same word changed twice) — and I’ve put it in handwriting (because that’s what I do these days).

As you might suspect, this haiku was born of heartbreak — something I’ve experienced once or twice in my life. Unlike some of the more useless poetry I’ve spawned, this one harbors what I consider to be one of the most important lessons I’ve learned about love (or being “in” it).

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Speaking of mistakes, one of the things I’ve noticed about writing haiku on napkins (as I have with this one) is that the soft, less slick surface of a napkin actually makes it easier for me to not make mistakes. Perhaps it’s because I have a tendency to gather steam as I write, which leaves me prone to miscues. Which is probably also a part of the reason why I prefer fountain pen to roller ball.

All of which has nothing to do with the point of the haiku itself.

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