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
same frequency
What music do you vibe with?
blinking fields
back and forth
fireflies sway
…
we’ve all heard it
listening to the radio
on vinyl, CD or MP3,
to streaming services
but nothing can replicate
our experience feeling the music
for the first time
the classics
What films never get old?
life magazine
capturing negatives
begins in greenland
…
are meant to be
reread and rewatched
as each viewing
brings ourselves
closer to understanding
what the creator
may or may not have meant to make
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?
super effective
Who does your philosophy impact?
practicing zazen
breathing at temple
breathing at home
…
is a trap
that teaches us to expect
the solution to our problems
will be resolved
from having this or that
when instead, what matters
is how we are behaving right now
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
leash, tooth, and toy
What fond memories do you keep?
dogwood tree
grandfather walks
with a new friend
…
the funny thing about attachment
typically appears
when certain things
trigger nostalgia
from our life’s playlist
can either be found
on display or inside cardboard boxes
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
keeping company
Who have you spent the most time with?
floating worlds
diminishing behind
piano lullabies
…
to those who wait
for second winds
when sailing uncharted waters
don’t be afraid or discouraged
no matter how high or low
tidal waves flow
we will always have your back
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
reppin' the name
What are your roots?
saba:
out of water
out of bento
…
everyday we communicate
our interests and ideals
whether we notice or not
through our actions and words
for public opinion
to digest and decipher
what story we are trying to tell
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
forgotten pieces
How powerful is your memory?
starless night
entering the expanse
floating dandelions
…
fading into night
did we lose sight
remembering where we used to walk
on nightshades after dark
perhaps the only thing
is the scent of crushed berries
left on my feet
sentient seeds
What are you hopeful for?
watermelon seeds
all that remains
from the monsoon
…
from apples to avocados
we routinely discard the pits
without considering
if we save the seeds
to plant for another day
will they bare nature’s lesson
of trust and hope?
nature's pathos
What is transient?
morning dew
grass imprints
walking with prince
…
gently passes with time
yet melancholic memories remain
describes the notion
mono no aware 物の哀れ
which cultivates awareness
for appreciating impermanence
in our daily lives
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?
we won, they lost
What are you doing now?
her shadow
over braided cords
facemask lanyard
…
too many times
success is driven by numbers
our society excepts
as standards of comparison
for labeling winners and losers
but, our result is far less important
then what we plan to do now
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