real costs

vintage baseball cards

collecting a new level

of dusty covers

…

understanding

the true impacts

and how the aftermath

of our actions

will shape not only ourselves

but the community

matters for everyone

squares and triangles

into the burrow

cuddling grey bunny rabbits

wake up with the sun

…

the world has many

of these objects and figures

but we are meant

to find out what

and who we are

rather than conforming

to society’s standards

arrows

mountain trailhead

scampering across gravel

the chipmunk returns

…

point us towards

a certain direction

but whether that path

is the right one

for us to take

is not up to the signage

but after we reflect on it

ask a local

vacant parking lot

the enchilada food truck

fires up the grill

…

instead of searching

on the computer

for the best restaurant

as nothing beats

getting the perspective

of someone from the community

whether we agree with it or not

collapse and expand

swaying back and forth

sheltering ginko tree leaves

welcome light and shade

…

like a folding fan

has both form and function

without sacrificing

one design over the other

in order to provide us both

the look and feel

we need on a hot summer day

presence

smoky trails run

a desecration of trees

exhaling ash

…

we are not late

and nor are we early

to the events in life

we abhor or adore

we are simply arriving

when we are meant too

and taking it all in

splints and casts

a hot summer day

emerging from the veil

monarch butterflies

…

are only temporary

but still we rely on them

to give ourselves

the opportunity to

reset, realign, and rest

while they support

and protect us

qualified

electric vacuum

hiding behind the armchair

lies a furry tail

…

is it the piece of paper

that shows our degree

or certification

that gives us access

and permission

or is it our brand

and reputation?

step by step

public newspaper

a forest fire scorches

over power lines

…

for better or worse

sometimes we are not

given all of the factors

for a situation to consider

but what we do have

is our mind and wit

to figure things out

holding the megaphone

afternoon transit

fumes from the taxi cab search

for a clear exit

…

unfortunately

whether if it is

old or new media

whoever has or is in

the position of power,

they will most likely be the ones

who get their story told

giving flowers

underneath the shade

ripened blueberry clusters

shimmer and smile

…

some of us prefer and appreciate

when we are recognized

by a shout-out

with a gift-card

or a high-five

for our energy and efforts

spent making something

a can of beans

package of lentils

an intact lid and label

despite the earthquake

…

today is not worth

the same price

as it was back

in the 1950’s

but how we

plan on making

and eating it might be

up to them

melted popsicles

making a colorful stream

on the gravel path

…

what matters to us

when we design art

is not if it meets

or lives up to

our standards

but how our work

makes other’s feel

chicken or the egg

running kitchen sink

a black cod masterfully

slips out of the bowl

…

isn’t a metaphor

for us to ponder

instead, we need

to first decide on

how we plan on

reaching our goals

and aspirations

whatever it takes

larch wood pizza board

the pizzailo claps his hands

as the show begins

…

to recycle, repair, and reuse

instead of replacing

what’s already working

with the latest and greatest

newest technology

is no easy feat for our minds

and wallets to conquer

tuned in

launching fireworks

the crowd celebrates and laughs

the lake gently weeps

…

on the same channel

but we can hold

different opinions

on what was witnessed

and that is the beauty

behind the conversations

that are about to unfold

the right path

sunny afternoon

entering the library

dozens of monkeys

…

is the one

where we don’t

have to be on

a straight path

to get to our goal

but one where we

are willing to learn

non-negotiables

terminal boarding

carry-on baggage rolling

onto the airplane

…

once we figure out

what we can and cannot

live without or need

we can begin

designing and executing

how our lifestyle

is shaped and formed

equilibrium

floating above

the tumbling ocean

fisherman pray

…

are we our

biggest enemy

or are we

simply giving

ourselves too much

criticism for things

that are out of our control

one way

setting in the west

a trail of smoke lingers

for one last smore

…

or another

we are the ones

responsible to decide

for ourselves

if our ideas and actions

truly matter

and make a difference