Under One Umbrella by Alvin B. Cruz is a shared vision in the form of poetry. I have been a fan of the author for many years now, and his works have always been approachable and direct to the point. He does not disappoint in his latest collection of one hundred haiku, senryu, and tanka. I found myself reading his new book on a rainy day, and the sound of the raindrops provided the perfect scoring for my afternoon read.
Alvin has always been an expert in weaving nature in his poems. He has artfully formulated a method of writing poetry which combines common themes that bind us all, and most of them can be found in the world around us. In this book, I could sense a yearning for companionship. Loneliness is a repeated theme, and they are tackled with calculated measure. He effortlessly balances his solitude with poems on his exploits with nature.
The photographs taken by the author have given his poems a moody feel. While poetry is not for everyone, nature has its own universal appeal which the author has successfully anchored on in this book. The photos invite the reader to ponder on their own forays in the mountains and by the sea, while delving deep into the author’s words.
I look forward to reading more of the author’s works in the future. His works have given me hope during dark times.For now, his poems on solitude and longing accompany me in my own quest to find my place in this chaotic and ever-changing world.
In a sense, nature has always been comforting and present. Yet, human connections define our best memories, and Under One Umbrella highlights the need for shared experiences amidst life’s unexpected downpours.
Under One Umbrella by Alvin B. Cruz is now available!