teeter totter talks
Do you consider others’ perspectives?
rain showers
infinite oscillations
rusty seesaw
…
with any dialogue
characters express ideas and practices
always alternating
one speaking up
while the other listens below
until both parties pivot
to a new center of balance
check the printer
What were you like as a seven year old?
seven years;
bleeding-hearts
remain in shade
…
every time we think
why did this happen to me
we revert back to
our subconscious
holding years of
positive, neutral, or negative recordings
to review before we publish our thoughts
face to face
What makes you you?
mosquito bites
dipping into
scarlet oceans
…
staring at our complexion
in the mirror
why do we try
to wipe away
our insecurities
when we should embrace
what makes us unique?
read receipts
What does it mean to be “world famous”?
pike place fish
flying over displays
to parchment sheets
…
eliminates surprises
for paying patrons
who calculate and communicate
what they prefer to consume
while products and services
thank customers for making time
to experience their stories
what's in our pockets
How deep does your cultural roots run?
the panama hotel
locals and visitors
share tea and stories
…
beyond plastic identification cards
the latest tech devices
or the keys to our home
requires us to reexamine
how our safe spaces
preserve and show cultural pluralism
while developing our individuality
badges and bandages
What acts of kindness often go unnoticed?
after the storm
shimmering water
welcomes the sun
…
with time and effort
we gain insight and skillsets
that become part of
our identity
for others to praise
when we really want people
to recognize what it took to earn those merits
luck of the ladybug
What is luck?
white cotton shirt
a red dot scales
then flies away
…
with all auspicious circumstances
we believe good fortune
is destined to come
to people in due time
but how many times
do we focus on the present
to create our own magic?
smithereens
Who are your inspirations?
molten glass
expanding into
blue ikebana
…
like glassblowing
raising children
requires dogged diligence
sharing living lessons
and an open mind
for shaping and breathing life
into our fragile and innocent creations
window washing
Are you a hare or tortoise?
first summer rain
trickling off the backs
of skyscrapers
…
when taking on new projects
that first appear
daunting and exhausting
some minds seek shortcuts
to clear and save time
over carefully considering
cleaning one window at a time
one take sessions
Do you prepare or improvise?
shall we sing a song,
my circling friend
evening box fan
…
on the surface
appear organic, effortless, & raw
shedding light into capturing
a glimpse of perfection
when will we understand
what is shown on screen
took hours, months, & years preparing?
omoiyari
Who is someone who you will never be able to repay?
marigold field
flickering against
broken wood
…
showing sympathy and compassion
does not necessarily mean we know
what another person is going through
as we have experienced it too
instead, it is the movement
which causes us to uplift others
wading in the river we call life
a day in the life
Who’s work do you admire?
the steam lines
of the southern bowl
shoyu ramen
…
entices curious crowds
to tune in and view
the life happenings
for people of interest
without realizing
the most interesting individuals
are in tune with their principles & passions
recognizing beauty
What influences your perspective?
spring cleaning
vinyl collection set
under dust and cloth
…
by processing our surroundings
maybe it would be worth our attention
to stop blaming current conditions
for factors outside our control
and instead creating
peace and happiness
within our own environment
micros to macros
What haven’t you fully embraced?
grocery coupons
barcodes queuing up
with extra products
…
hold a common misconception
trusting the process
to celebrate little wins
in achieving the larger picture
isn’t for proving our point
but uniting our experiences
for embracing what is happening
comeback stories
How do you stay poised under pressure?
garage sale
dry succulents burn
under the sun
…
aim to inspire
and ignite a fire
to catch the attention
of the audience
whatever the outcome
we respect and congratulate
effort, humility, and self-efficacy
stumbling upon
What hobbies were passed down to you?
sunkissed arms
stepping on the plate
for batting practice
…
pastimes brings back
memories of youth
frequently fleeting
yet surprisingly timeless
as the act of passing on
our hobbies to the next generation
is enjoyment in and of itself
resonates with
What recently released music resonates with you?
motorbike rides
natural frequency
switching lanes
…
attaching special meaning
to an idea or information
positions people
to reasonably believe
in the vast open sea
where fish roam free
we swim towards who we strive to be
ripe to spoiled
Why do we procrastinate?
ripe green bananas
atop refrigerator
away from children
…
nobody is ever truly ready
when we start new projects
with the goal of creating value
for our audiences
consider taking the first step
and learning along the way
over waiting until things spoil
form embraces
When do you practice functional movements?
giant cardboard box
mysteriously contains
internal inserts
…
functional movements
such as sitting on the floor
picking up groceries
to even reaching for our phones
constant repetition promotes
the same behaviors
that regularly go unnoticed
waiting for wisdom
How do you overcome being stuck?
studio mirror
choreographer dances
and improvises
…
staring at a blank canvas
searching for inspiration
as the cursor blinks
may appear frustrating
instead of resisting
open your mind
to all the possibilities and perspectives