a can of spam
What do you stock up on?
family of four
checking the counter
for spam musubi
…
might be kept away
inside our pantry
sitting on the shelf
waiting for someone
but we can always rely
on how it tastes
after we open its tin safe
rollercoaster
What ride are you on?
back and forth
the rocking chair’s
shadow dances
…
no matter
how fast
how high
how long
we will always find ourselves
returning back to
where we started
technology
What technology do you use daily?
linking together
a line of preschoolers
enter the playground
…
it’s become easy
for us to forget
that the internet
hasn’t reached 100 years old
and all the while we have
made great advances
in technology
this feeling
Who do you miss?
where did it go
the squirrel looks
for it’s acorn
…
don’t let us
forget about
the ones who
encouraged us
empowered us
mentored us
moved us
when we return
What are you bringing back?
atop the hill
thump thump thump
rabbit wake up
…
we bring
stories
inspiration
renewed commitment
to getting back
and doing the work
we love for the community
back to earth
What keeps you tethered?
red balloon
stuck between branches
of the maple tree
…
for the times
we get lost in space
with nowhere to go
think about who, what, where, when,
and why we feel this way
and compare it to
when we are grounded
here and gone
What are you in control of?
drying rack
a pair of socks
take new shape
…
and it goes
on and on and on
yesterday, today, and tomorrow
as we can’t control time
but we can control
our attitude and mind
for yesterday, today, and tomorrow
keep the change
What are your feelings towards change?
look around
a few leaves left
on the wisteria tree
…
it may feel
like nothing today
but as we live
and continue
to build off of
what we started
tomorrow will be different
set it and forget it
What alarms are you setting?
automatic trunk
revealing yesterday’s
shopping bags
…
until the alarm goes off
but what we end up
doing during
the time between
notifications
is up to us
or is it?
searching for
What is your creative process?
bamboo fence
linking together
a rose bush
…
perfection
is never-ending
however,
in pursuit
we will find
and refine
our process
things happen
What intergenerational trauma do you carry?
tolerating
the frog leaps
into the rain
…
we cannot generalize
we cannot marginalize
we cannot push off
the trauma
and reality of truth
that our ancestors
went through
public appearances
Who do you show up for?
ink stains
collect at the bottom
of the essay
…
whether we see
our role models
out on the streets
or on live streams
it’s good to know
they make an effort
to show up
let it marinate
What do you do in your spare time?
bubbling up
a new beginning
for the butter
…
when we really
think about it
out of all
the ingredients
in the world
time is our most precious
and valued resource