stone bench
When will you make time to connect with others?
kubota garden
crushed gravel path
leads us to water
…
over the course
of any given day
we have the chance
to sit and converse
with familiar faces
and listen to stories
about their journeys
never have we ever
How do you engage in this digital age?
black rectangles
vibrating inside
my jean pocket
…
lived during a time
where we can connect
and learn anything
from the palms
of our hands
and yet can feel
isolated and removed
Operation BLT
What was the last dish you made for someone?
these hands
covered in tomato seeds
from the chef’s knife
…
when consuming
a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich
we rarely consider
the preparation, thought
and craft that went
into assembling this offering
between bread slices
outdoor recreation
What was your last outdoor activity?
pacific halibut
thrashing up and down
the starboard bow
…
in a time
where we spend
more of our days
inside than outside
what kind of experiences
have we taken for granted
in the last two years?
inflection points
What obstacles turned into opportunities for you?
the trapeze artist
gazes across the room
filled with black dots
…
the age old question
when obstacles appear
in our lives
do we push through
to new beginnings
or change direction
in fear of failure?
pick a lane
What do you specialize in?
subaru forester
muddy body and tires
parked on the slope
…
when determining
what we should put out
into the world
specializing over generalizing
will almost certainly lead us
down a trodden path
worth remembering
featuring us
How do you overcome stage fright?
fuzzy caterpillar
rustles inside the bark
waiting for spring
…
appearing on any platform
may seem scary
when we believe
we must preform perfectly
rather than embracing
being present with
ourselves and our audience
hōseki-bako
What stories are sealed in your jewelry box?
black-billed magpie
soaring high above
barbed wire fences
…
grandmother’s jewelry box
holds money and gold
but nothing compares
to the history and memories
sealed within wooden
carved bird pins
from Tule Lake, California
friends of friends
How do you foster new relationships?
business cards
rest on the table
between coasters
…
the root of
mutual acquaintances
lies deeper than
knowing the same people
places and things
it grows and branches out
into new directions if we let it
dawn and dusk
When does inspiration strike you?
rice paper screens
the camellia’s shadow
waves to the moon
…
when some people
wind down for the evening
others begin working
with the intention to make
the most out of their day
with or without the presence
of the sun
usagi ringo
What brightens up your day?
a pink lady
turns into eight sweet
reddish rabbits
…
if we spend
a few minutes
cutting the pieces
in a decorative manner
we may just brighten up
an otherwise cloudy afternoon
with a simple apple snack