witnesses and bystanders
How do you attend events?
freshly cut hedges
casting moving shadows
on the stadium
…
unless we are
actually involved
and engaged in the game
we no more than
observers and spectators
looking at the screen
or the field
news is news
What are you talking about?
cock-a-doodle-do!
answering the rooster’s call
early morning dew
…
no one has a crystal ball
that will predict and tell us
what the future will be
but when things happen
and they eventually will
will we be wondering why
or have peace of mind
ticket stubs
What are you holding onto?
the farmers market
walking through fresh produce
before closing time
…
the price of admission
for access to
a single event
may show up
this piece of paper
but our memories
from that day will last forever
real costs
How do your actions impact others?
vintage baseball cards
collecting a new level
of dusty covers
…
understanding
the true impacts
and how the aftermath
of our actions
will shape not only ourselves
but the community
matters for everyone
squares and triangles
Are you being authentic to yourself?
into the burrow
cuddling grey bunny rabbits
wake up with the sun
…
the world has many
of these objects and figures
but we are meant
to find out what
and who we are
rather than conforming
to society’s standards
ask a local
Who do you ask for advice?
vacant parking lot
the enchilada food truck
fires up the grill
…
instead of searching
on the computer
for the best restaurant
as nothing beats
getting the perspective
of someone from the community
whether we agree with it or not
collapse and expand
When tools do you need today?
swaying back and forth
sheltering ginko tree leaves
welcome light and shade
…
like a folding fan
has both form and function
without sacrificing
one design over the other
in order to provide us both
the look and feel
we need on a hot summer day
splints and casts
Who and what supports you?
a hot summer day
emerging from the veil
monarch butterflies
…
are only temporary
but still we rely on them
to give ourselves
the opportunity to
reset, realign, and rest
while they support
and protect us
step by step
Are you an independent thinker?
public newspaper
a forest fire scorches
over power lines
…
for better or worse
sometimes we are not
given all of the factors
for a situation to consider
but what we do have
is our mind and wit
to figure things out
holding the megaphone
Are you the speaker or the audience?
afternoon transit
fumes from the taxi cab search
for a clear exit
…
unfortunately
whether if it is
old or new media
whoever has or is in
the position of power,
they will most likely be the ones
who get their story told
giving flowers
How do you like to be recognized?
underneath the shade
ripened blueberry clusters
shimmer and smile
…
some of us prefer and appreciate
when we are recognized
by a shout-out
with a gift-card
or a high-five
for our energy and efforts
spent making something
a can of beans
What is relavent to you?
package of lentils
an intact lid and label
despite the earthquake
…
today is not worth
the same price
as it was back
in the 1950’s
but how we
plan on making
and eating it might be
up to them
What matters to you?
melted popsicles
making a colorful stream
on the gravel path
…
what matters to us
when we design art
is not if it meets
or lives up to
our standards
but how our work
makes other’s feel
chicken or the egg
What should you do first?
running kitchen sink
a black cod masterfully
slips out of the bowl
…
isn’t a metaphor
for us to ponder
instead, we need
to first decide on
how we plan on
reaching our goals
and aspirations