different and the same
Is your life going the same or differently than before?
tying shoelaces
a runner stops to
look at the sun
…
every year
every month
every week
every day
every hour
every minute
every second
tolerate to triumph
What gets you through hard times?
at the sento
a cloud moves
over the moon
…
until it’s too late
will this be our fate
or will we find
that it’s a piece of cake
to do the hard things
once we get one done
another one is twice the fun
project to project
What work is meaningful to you?
drinking lemonade
my mouth no longer
feels lonely
…
the point of our work
should be less about
results and money
and more focused on
community building
artistic creativity and
cultural relevancy
appreciation
What work are you focused on now?
watering plants
the sun never asked
for us to help
…
for the work that we do
day in and day out
is never guaranteed
so think about what
we can contribute
and focus on this over
what we think we are owed
behind the mask
Who knows you?
ah yes
an evening spent
on the couch
…
and costumes
we put on
and wear everyday
lies our character
and identity
only a few people
close to us truly know
pen or pencil
Are you sticking with or rewriting your goals?
leaves swirling
the water becomes
afternoon tea
…
at baseline
the pen will make us
commit to a task
and stick to it
while the pencil
gives us the option
of erasing and rewriting
in the water
How do you keep focus in the moment?
swimming pool
the only place where
doughnuts meet flamingos
…
there are sinkers
there are floaters
there are even
those of us
who tread water
for focus and calmness
in the moment is everything
raw to finished
How do you make art?
folding paper
the lines reveal
a flying crane
…
products
take time
intention
and curiosity
to craft
from the mind
to our hands
a lousy pet
What are your pet peeves?
a piece of lettuce
stuck between teeth
left for us to see
…
our pet peeves
bring to light
the small consistent
everyday things
that can cause us
frustration or irritation
no matter where we are
here and now
Is your presence felt?
knock know
a paper slip
left at the door
…
our past
stays in the past
just as our future
stays out of reach
for our presence
in being present
is a skill worth learning
dare to care
How much do you care about your decisions?
summer days
a weed grows
above the grass
…
if we did or didn’t
think or believe
something would
make a difference
than we already
have made a decision
that impacts more than just us
first to start
What stage in learning matters the most to you?
start to wonder
why do the stars
look closer tonight
…
yet last to finish
the way we go about
beginning and ending
may not mean as much
as we once thought
if we aren’t learning
and appreciating the journey
deal with it
What ways do you deal with stress?
walking across
the tight rope
our breathe drops
…
instead of
stressing about
the whole goal
focus on getting
to the closest step
and crossing this off
our never ending list
settlers and explorers
Are you staying in place or moving forward?
across the creek
the deer leap
for fresh grass
…
are we going
to settle as soon
as we find comfort
or will we set off
to find new adventures
and possibilities
for our future?
spend enough
When are you going to put your ideas to work?
are you sure?
jumping off the diving board
into the swimming pool
…
time thinking
about the ways
we can change
the world in our heads
and we won’t be able
to actually make
these dreams a reality