empty or filled
What has been on your mind lately?
gift wrapping
spilling out of
cardboard
…
the boxes in our room
that sit around
waiting for us
to interact with them
take up physical space
but also within
our minds
sticky notes
What ideas have you written down lately?
cluttered desk
highlighted pink text
a note for us
…
regardless if we write
them digitally or on paper
these note taking tools
aren’t meant
to be permanent
but the ideas on them
will live on
award season
Who deserves your praise today?
boarding the bus
the last passenger
enters with the rain
…
we should exercise
an opportunity
to highlight the work
being done day-to-day
without needing to
or recognize others by
trophies or titles
curb appeal
How do you present yourself to others?
overflowing
the storm drain’s fort
of pine needles
…
everyone may not
get to see what is inside
and behind our work
but we can at least
present it in a form
that everyone will
see at the front of our house
build or break
If you had the choice to make something new or re-make something, what would you choose?
flowers sway
red butterflies taking
a garden tour
…
sometimes we start
to build something
and see it break down overtime
while there are other first times
we break something
and from the remains
a new thing is built
along the way
How do you reflect?
dust clouds
the engine hums
to the beach
…
there will come
a time and day
we find ourselves
looking back
on the what if’s
and what was
with a smile
take to heart
What do you take seriously?
a spring drizzle
petals turn into
a pink ballet
…
for better or worse
others opinions of us
are out of our control
but that doesn’t mean
acknowledging them
is the same as
accepting them
thinking about
Does your history repeat itself?
ink spills
on paper
an avalanche
…
the past and
how our decisions
that led us to
our present state
is simply stalling the future
that will become our present
then once again the past
our teacher
Who or what has shaped you?
sheet music
resting on the ledge
of our last battle
…
is experience
is change
is knowledge
is behavior
is somewhat permanent
and at the same time
sadly fleeting
the final play
What decisions led you here?
buzzer sounds
a lone bee
collecting honey
…
all the things
that led us up
to this moment
in time could have
been different
if we made past choices
that could change our fate
breakthrough
What will you discover today?
bubbling up
a crab scrambles
to the sea
…
we all have to start
from somewhere
whether we draw inspiration
from our surroundings
or free flowing thoughts
our ideas will lead to
our next milestone
crossroads
What decisions impact you the most?
lifting up
then floating down
the rice cooker rings
…
in a second
in a minute
in an hour
in a day
in a week
in a year
we will make difficult decisions
closed on mondays
When do you take breaks?
sushi restaurant
awaiting the delivery
of fresh sakana
…
there are times
when we need
to take a break
from our daily business
hustle and bustle
and that day
is today
in three generations
How long will you be remembered?
white florets
scattering across
the valley
…
will we ceast to exist
in the minds and memories
of our offspring and others
or will the energy
we exhibit today
transcend beyond
our body’s lifetime?
piles and shelves
How do you learn and teach things to others?
open the hood
the car rattles
one last time
…
the material
or matter doesn’t
necessarily change
but instead it is
about how we are
organizing, categorizing,
and presenting things
kinds of risks
How do you deal with risks and rewards?
gloomy afternoon
the fog has yet to lift
over our eyes
…
whether it is actual or perceived
rewards come with risks
running a marathon
raising our hand in class
will we get caught up
on how risky it feels
or focus on the work ahead?
in this hand
What dilemma are you facing?
farmers market
a heron spies on
the fish mongers
…
we have the opportunity
to express ourselves
with freedom and creativity
while on the other hand
we stand a chance
for maximizing
profits and followers
a jar full of marbles
What are you putting in and taking out of your day?
house fans
directing air
dancing for us
…
simply put
there is a finite
amount of them
we can put into
the container
but we get to decide
what to put in and out