tic tac toe

green yarn

dangling from

the cat’s tail

…

two players

sitting across

from each other

pondering how

our intuition

leads us to

wins, loses, and draws

back and forth

four wheels

taking the owner

back home

…

people pass by

in their cars

or taking their dog

for a walk around

the neighborhood

are the everyday rituals

we see outside the window

hmm

grocery ad

the discount flyers

are all ripped out

…

entering and exiting

the conversation

are these filler words

that on paper appear

unrefined or unessential

to our dictation until

our mind draws a blank

bubble

soap and water

descending over

teacups

…

whether it pops

from coming into contact

with another object

or on it’s own

we should internalize

how time and fate

are intertwined

naps

heated blanket

on the floor

forms a new canyon

…

for some people

means taking a break

that span only minutes

and for others

can last hours

whatever the case,

sleep is sleep

delicacy

cooked mutton

around the table

family gather

…

fugu

sannakji

yànwō

balut

no matter

where we go

food is fare

stamp

hanko stamp

vermillion coats

handmade washi

…

pressed onto paper

brands approval

or in other words,

our reputation

to this body of work

we are reluctant to save

from the shredder

rainy days

traffic cones

directing vehicles

towards new ground

…

there has to be

more then this

grey overcast

if we are

willing to wait

for the sun

to shine again

on and off

hydrangea

in the shade

opens up

…

the switch goes

when the power is on

everyone sees

our finished projects

and when the light’s off

we start all over to make

another masterpiece

curls

hair straightener

clamping down an

unyielding road

…

what is it

that makes us

crave something

we don’t have

and not first be proud

or content with

our own traits and abilities

squeaky clean

september rain

teardrops disappear

in the river

…

it’s rather difficult

to clean

behind the toilet

but without

regular checks

we could risk

the build up of more work

after you

wooden door knob

greets the hand

with warmth

…

holding open

the door for others

to pass through

is a lesson in

good manners

but also our desire

for goodwill

swoon

tuning into

the andy griffith show

whistling away

…

fleeting feelings

are healing

to the touch

yet what we clutch

can never fully capture

the best parts

when we were young

do or try

rice cooker

grains boil over

to a new bowl

…

it doesn’t matter

if we put ourselves

in position to

take advantage of

the time and place

unless we take action

to change the status quo

141135

street food stalls

resting on countertops

empty dishes

…

there are 26 letters

in the alphabet

but it takes only four

to give meaning

and value

behind the label

we attach ourselves to

x-factors

friday night lights

outside the huddle

ramblin’ men run

…

didn’t ask

to be named

or held in such

high esteem

as this title

often confuses

influence with leadership

bulletin board

open for business

flickering neon signs

bring fireflies

…

announcements bring information

information raises awareness

and awareness causes action

is the methodology

we perceive to hold true

until nobody notices

our advertisements

vagabond

flash floods

breaking apart pavement

for shrubbery

…

take a moment to consider

how we change

the people, places, and things

for the better

is a generous letter

we hope to receive

long after we depart

quilt

straight lines

grandmother’s blanket

smiles back

…

layered between

fiber and fabric

rests the pieces

of our past

keeping us warm

while the storm

swirls and twirls

get it right

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