when it rains
What do you assume about the natural world?
afternoon showers
the rain chain guides
children to temple
…
do we assume
it will continue
to pour and pour
or will it stop
and eventually bring
sunshine and rainbows
to our doorsteps
theme song
What music do you associate with yourself?
at the temple
a line of people
bow and ring bells
…
when we start
to associate
a song or melody
with other people
we also identify
what makes them
stand out to us
wherever we are
Where do you make your best work?
at the bottom
of the plastic slide
woodchips and shoes
…
at the park
at the house
at the store
is our playground
for creating
our greatest work
if we allow it
campfire vs. bonfire
When will your fire extinguish?
burnt tinder
crisscrossing over
the firepit
…
whether we enjoy
campfires that invite
close conversation
in a relaxed environment
or bonfires that attract
large displays and gatherings
the fire will still burn out
fortune cookies
What was your last fortune?
black roses
printed on slips
tell our future
…
tying our luck
fate or gained wisdom
from a paper slip
hidden within
crunchy confectionaries
is a novel practice
we enjoy passing on
cut and slice
How do you cut your apples?
the countertop
hints of yellow, orange, and red
speckled across
…
an apple apart
can be done with
a knife, corer, or peeler
depending on what
kind of finished product
we end up deciding
to make or bake
black and white
Without color, what do you see?
bamboo forest
a panda chews on
leaves and dirt
…
instead of relying
on colors for interpretation
we must find the lines
symmetry and patterns
within an image
to then recognize people
places and things
intersections
Are you connecting with your community?
after the rain
wisteria leaves cover
the roundabout
…
when well-designed
can use street space
to bring people together
for a moment of pause
and appreciation
until the traffic lights
change colors
five minutes ago
What matters to you now?
on the table
1942 newspaper
taped and laminated
…
we read the latest
newspaper headlines
we watched highlights
from yesterday’s ball game
instead of leaning into
what we do now will impact
our next five years
headphones
What are you listening to right now?
train station
on the waiting platform
a gingko leaf rests
…
are accessories
that not only provide
music, podcasts
and conversations
for us on command
but also protect our ears
from harmful environments