water in the boat

blueberries

floating to the top

of the ocean

…

doesn’t wait for us

to pour it back into

the ocean

and nor should we

wait to seize

the moment

before we sink

cardboard to cupboard

earthen mug

grandfather’s last time

drinking matcha

…

can carry

can bend

can form

can hold

our valuables

until we’re ready

to settle down

regulars

enter the boutique

a blend of lo-fi jazz

and incense fill us

…

beyond home and work

we should seek out

a place that accepts us

as a frequent visitor

free from expectations

of productivity

or pressures

from blank to blank

home renovation

snowflakes fall

on our hoodies

…

if the first blank

is “"before”

and the second blank

is “after'“

we should make sure

we tell what happens

in between

another round

the ball bounces

and embraces

the net

…

when we play

a game

puts perspective

in no matter the result

we can always

try and try

and try again

lemonade stand

early morning

the monk leaves

the shade of the tree

…

no matter our age

our background

our abilities

our knowledge

there is always

opportunity for us

to start a business

is it better

brewing

the rain settles

and waits for thunder

…

for us to be

famous or infamous

mad or maddening

lazy or aloof

for our reputation

is built upon

our actions and attitude

crumbs

dried leaves

sun bathing under

the coconut tree

…

often lead us

to wondering

about how the trail

was made

and more importantly

why does it exist

to begin with?

here

river stream

the frog leaps

to the lily pad

…

wherever we are

near or far

to our goals

be there and be present

to figure out

where do we go

from here on out

idea

chunks of strawberry

waiting for the chocolate

to be melted

…

food court samples

are one way for us

to try new things

while the businesses

that make said products

get immediate feedback

from potential customers

temporary tattoo

unripened plums

a green shadow

becomes purple

…

when the level

of commitment

is low we often

place less emphasis

and value behind

our choices if the

effects are short-term

cover

bottle cap

holding back

a red sea

…

over the things

we don’t want

people to see

seems more about

how we feel about us

than what others

will think of us

move

plopped down

the herder watches

his sheep graze

…

when we live

a sedentary life

we need to

ask ourselves

if we are truly

moving our bodies

and our minds

model one

bamboo forest

walking and hearing

rain on the leaves

…

may look exactly

the same as

or drastically different

from model 100

but the lessons learned

along the way

is all part of our process

unbox

bowl of rice

steam rises to

the blue sky

…

every time

we open a package

do we even consider

or think about the efforts,

energy and story it took

for this item

to reach us?

born with it

wet stone

a dragon sneers

it’s metal tongue

…

when some

are naturally gifted

and others

have to work

for everything

is only one aspect

to mastering a skill

value

drinking fountain

trickling down

the ants back

…

some of us

may think

something

holds little

to no value

while for others

it is their world

telephone

the steamboat chugs

along the canal

with the orcas

…

when we hear

a story

and wish to retell

it to others

how much of the story

will remain the same

or change in your version?

not required

sunday market

the flower stand draws

us and the bees

…

gives us

pause

to think

if the options

in front of us

are worth our time

and energy

in short supply

gentle rain

we wish for rainbows

but hear thunder

…

our attention

may seem to be

what we all are lacking

when in reality

it is our transparency

and trust that should

be prioritized first