we can do that
What goal have you set for yourself this year?
horse saddle
hangs on the wall
jumps with the wind
…
nobody questions
whether or not
we hold the capacity
or tenacity to accomplish
our dreams and goals
but only when and where
they will come to fruition
pow bam bang
What was the last comic book you’ve read?
manga store
a pirate flag sits
by grandma’s purse
…
comic books
let our interests
and imaginations
wander while we try
to learn the message
and meaning behind
the author’s lines and sketches
before and after
What has change taught you?
nail polish
leftover gold moons
wax and wane
…
we often misplace
change with progress
if the intent of our decisions
causes and creates
the consequences
we expected and wanted
to show the world
this or that
What are your preferences?
last night’s storm
racked into the pile
of yellow foliage
…
hot or cold
slow or fast
organized or cluttered
analog or digital
rain or shine
spring or fall
winter or summer
for real nah fo fake
How do you distinguish between real and fake?
jewelry box
glistening after
the sunsets
…
imitation objects
such as fake pearls
are man-made beads
comprised of plastic, glass,
and shells covered in pearly coating
to give off a similar appearance
to the real thing
sunshine and rainbows
What was the last thing you’ve learned from social media?
pitter patter
rainfall gathers under
the red maple
…
instead of mindlessly scrolling
and seeing social media as a place
that sucks our energy
increases envy and drives depression
we can intentionally
search and discover content
that teaches and nourishes
stomping grounds
Where are your favorite places?
crisp fall morning
a stroke of yellow
crosses the larches
…
the funny thing
about returning
to familiar venues
we get a chance to relive
and remember what may
or might not have happened
at that time and place
sitting down
How do you support others?
hot chocolate
the steam trails
into the window
…
and connecting with others
who are also sitting
and lying down
during conversations
meets people where
they are at and builds
support and compassion
the backburner
What have you had to put on the side?
smoked poke
pieces of tuna pop
out of the rice
…
it may feel like
all of our attention
goes into what’s happening
and cooking right in front of us
but we shouldn’t forget
or devalue what’s marinating
in the fridge or countertop
wow factor
Does magic make your work or work makes your magic?
harvester ants
enter the colony
with green treasure
…
it’s not about
fancy things, diamond rings
or the magic that makes the work
when we decide
to open our mind
is the day we will say
the work makes the magic
the best teacher
What can experience teach you?
pack of guanaco
run away from
the waters edge
…
is the experience
of going through different
trials and tribulations
as every year
we try to accomplish things
we will more often than not
encounter new challenges
significance and truth
What past events do you talk about the most?
telephone directory
fingers walk across
yellow paper
…
are two words
that hold weight
when we determine
what parts of our history
is worth sharing today
versus what can be left
to share for another day
hamster wheel
How do you find new perspectives doing the same thing?
traffic circle
yielding and going
yielding and going
…
whether we like it or not
we constantly live
day in and out often
doing the same things
over and over again
until we realize something
needs to change
it makes sense
What do you do when life happens?
sweeping leaves
outside the temple
more leaves fall
…
we become stressed
when there are variables
that are outside our control
and it can feel like
we are simply at the mercy
of the daily rivers flowing
with events and emotions
three forms
How do you handle transitions under pressure?
water ripples
the blue jay leaves
the morning bath
…
as a solid, water is ice
as a liquid, water is fluid
as a gas, water is vapor
simply by adjusting
the temperature
we can witness
these transformations