get it right
What patterns do you notice?
polka dots
on the carpet
rolling over
…
on our first attempt
is considered rare
on our second attempt
may seem appropriate
on our third attempt
almost always means
we can identify the pattern at play
possibilities
What medium do you choose?
the aurora
fickle bands ripple
behind mountains
…
pen and paper
brush and canvas
film and frame
the mediums we choose
set us on a path
full of discovery
to infinite outcomes
favorite snacks
What makes you feel nostalgic?
black and white
dipping oreos into
a glass of milk
…
there’s something nostalgic
that brings us back
to simpler times
when all we worried about
was who was going to get
the last chip or cookie
in the bag
set in stone
What was made to last?
crumbling sandstone
leaving the parking lot
with a new friend
…
all these things
are permeant until
we find another way
to go about doing business
better, faster, stronger
which ultimately leads us
to carve a new stone
climbing the wall
How do you approach daily obstacles?
vast canyons
reflected in the mirror
of the greyhound
…
whether physical, mental, or spiritual,
walls provide us
with a personal choice
to approach daily obstacles
with the grit and optimism
or get stuck complaining
that we have more work to do
heads or tails
Do you leave fate up to chance?
the year 1943
a green face covers
copper pennies
…
is a fifty-fifty chance
enough for us to wager everything
and go for broke?
for some, potentially
but then again,
when have the odds
really change our gut feeling?
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
the same material
How do you rework material?
douglas fir
shaking onto the
carpenter’s table
…
it all depends on the angle
we approach things
time and time again
trying to squeeze out
the most of our stories
may mean reworking material
for fresh eyes
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
post-it
How do you want others to see you?
polaroid film
expiring in august
bamboo curtains
…
before we display
our afternoon adventures
for all to see
around the globe
we should consider
if our actions today
mean anything for our future
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