weather watching
What are you creating?
spinning wind chimes
under the temple eaves
praying for sun
…
whether it rains and pours
or sunshine galore
the weather dictates
our movements and behaviors
until we recognize
that fate is what we create
not watching reports
yellow lights
Is pain progress?
flashing lights
entering the oven
unleavened bread
…
under most circumstances
typically indicate
slow down
proceed with caution
prepare to stop
unless we find ourselves
in the intersection of pain and progress
tell us, tell us
How do you deal with anticipation?
stay away
from the apples
fruit flies buzz
…
we can’t wait forever
from our pets, peers, and parents
anticipation and trepidation make
our heart beat faster
our mind crave answers
to unfolding events
that briefly hold our attention
known for...
What are you known for?
fresh evergreens
sitting next to the
charred fireplace
…
being or doing something
tells us how audiences believe
if we specialize
and not generalize
then we will lead and succeed
yet, what they often forget
is our capacity for developing trust
rough drafts
What story are you polishing?
bonito flakes
dancing on top of
okonomiyaki
…
frequently get a bad rap
when we race to meet deadlines
with scattered ideas and thoughts
we lose focus on what’s important
to our community
it’s less about turning in a sloppy copy
than it is about sharing our story
bicycle
What is your path?
old gravel road
stuck between tires
from saitama
…
handlebars guide
a pair of wheels
and single frame
to new destinations
over the course of our lives
it’s becoming less common we travel
down one straight path
branch, vase, and water
How do you stay objective?
rooting pothos
inside the glass jar
water is replaced
…
the branch needs the vase
the vase needs the water
the water needs the branch
is all subjective
as our environments twist and turn
our obligations to each other
come from life lessons learned
stapler
What do you attach yourself to?
blue office stapler
joining the collection
of lost and found
…
attaching ourselves
to the days demands
is the arduous job
we wish to streamline
as each day comprises of
tasks and situations
we attempt to file and organize
ubiquitous
Why is knowledge in short supply?
newspaper stand
the wind flips pages
across the street
…
in this day and age
marketing our ideas
has never been
faster and easier
however, we seldomly seek
acquiring knowledge
for selling our projects
puzzle pieces
How do you solve problems?
melting chocolate
sliding onto the tray
for the final time
…
forming the boarder
sorting and grouping
assembling the center
each methodology
provides guidance
on solving the same problem
but we must decide where to start
take the stares
What impedes your growth?
…
our capacity for growth
is fraught with doubt
are we good enough
we can’t do that
why even try
fuels our desire to inspire
those who fear failure
bucket list
Do you prioritize?
lacquered bowl
noodles enter the
squid’s mouth
…
number one:
number two:
number three:
isn’t for prioritizing
short-term fantasies
but rather our realignment
in finding joy and inner peace
read the manual
What creates intuition?
paper lanterns
cast away from
the cat’s paw
…
seems like the natural next step
when assembling a new product
we’ve never built
that is until…
when our intuition
meets good design and behaviors
do instructions really matter?
must've been
Can you tell fact from fiction?
ripened plum pits
on the freezer door
children’s fingerprints
…
for ____ reasons
we can determine
if ____ happens
then ____ results
is often under the assumption
we are the rightful masters
in deducing fact from fiction
made in ____
Do you pay attention to tags and labels?
cotton kendogi
streaks of indigo
on my fingertips
…
check the tags
on the backs
of every single
piece of clothing
before we face
the mirror of
revolving tastes
traces
Are you a hero?
bear and the bees
traces of honey
on broken grass
…
even if we have
the tools to craft
and replicate art
with all of our hearts
our heroes will be one step ahead
until we sketch out
our own outlines
salt and pepper
What complements each other?
togarashi bits
falling off the edge
of my udon bowl
…
common ingredients
used in just about
all culinary dish
to preserve food
and enhance flavor
speak directly to our capacity
for companionship
thumbs up
How do you conquer your fears?
rugged staircase
waiting for the puppy
to step down
…
typically signals
our confirmation of approval
to the audience
before or after starting something
yet, most may not know
how far we will go
to conquer our fears
to: those days,
Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
three seconds pass
a new world appears
for the goldfish
…
we spent outside
our first day of school
receiving a gift
playing with friends
going on vacation
thanks for these childhood memories we call important
from: our not-too-distant future selves
lines, scribbles and squiggles
What’s your point?
valley opening
over the horizon
a dragonfly glides
…
lines show us a clear path
scribbles appear carelessly rash
while squiggles twist and turn
wasn’t the point to learn
instead, take time
to appreciate how each have
a beginning, middle, and end