Moe's Poetry & Art
A veteran's creative voice — tender, honest, and alive with color.
Marine Corps Recon — Decorated Combat Veteran
"Art is how we survive what words alone cannot hold.
Inspirations from the Reservation and Larry Littlebird
After his military service, Moe made his way to New Mexico — drawn to the land, to open sky, to something the war had not taken. It was there, on the plains and in the mountains, that he met Larry Littlebird.
Larry Littlebird was a Santo Domingo/ Laguna Pueblo storyteller, filmmaker, painter, and culture bearer. He co-founded Hamaatsa, a center for Indigenous arts and healing, and served on the founding committee of the Sundance Institute. His film work, his paintings, and his way of walking through the world carried the teachings of his people — that the land is alive, that story is medicine, that human beings belong to something larger than themselves.
Moe and Larry walked together for decades. Larry taught Moe how to live — not just survive. When Moe faced cancer treatments in 2019, it was Larry he called. When the owl appeared at the window that night, Larry said: "He knows things." That was enough.
Larry Littlebird walked on September 15, 2025. Moe learned by email. He wrote it down — the way he writes everything that matters — in a poem.
Moe's Story of Larry
Seven pages, in Moe's own hand. A friendship that began on the plains of New Mexico after the war — and never really ended.
In Moe's Own Hand
Poems and drawings from Moe's years on the reservation, in memory of Larry Littlebird.
Larry Littlebird
Keres Pueblo storyteller, filmmaker, painter, and culture bearer. Shared here with Moe's blessing, in his memory.
Poems by Moe
Each poem posted as it arrives. Click to read or download.
Moe's Art & Poetry
Original poems and drawings from a veteran's hand and heart.
My Circle of Recovery
A 13-piece series by Moe Armstrong — hand-drawn illustrations exploring the many circles of healing, resilience, and everyday life.
13 pieces — August 5, 2026
Moe in His Own Words
A veteran's voice — unfiltered, alive, and present.
Poet Moe Armstrong recites his original poetry while composer and pianist Kurt Erickson provides musical accompaniment. This is the final culminating performance of the Finding Voice & Vision collaboration with the San Francisco VA Medical Center — a milestone for veterans finding their creative voice.


Moe's Philosophy
Moe's written reflections — on living fully, on faith, on facing death, and on finding meaning in the life that remains.
Gosh God
In the infusion room, Moe passed out and moved through a vast Consciousness — pure love, no fear. He came back changed. This is what he found there.
Head and Heart
A broken heart sent Moe across continents. Cancer nearly finished him. What remained was the Five T's — Try To Think Things Through — and the hard-won wisdom that staying put is its own kind of courage.
Don't Blow It
An experiential philosophy on living heaven on earth — right here, right now.
Image of God
A philosophical exploration of what the image of God could be — and what it means to carry it.
Moe's Music
Moe's voice carries the same honesty as his poetry — here he sings.
- The Birds Are GoneAugust 31, 2026Moe plays the accordion on this one
- What is Around the Corner?August 31, 2026
- Stay on My FeetAugust 31, 2026
- Ride an Old PaintAugust 31, 2026
- Sing a Song About "It"August 30, 2026
- I Am A PilgrimAugust 27, 2026
- Staying HealthyAugust 26, 2026
- Nightfall Composition with AccordionAugust 15, 2026
- Moving AlongAugust 15, 2026
- Kazooing AlongAugust 15, 2026
- Another KazooAugust 14, 2026
- What I Did ThenAugust 14, 2026
- Song to SingAugust 10, 2026
- Do Unto Earth as it is in HeavenAugust 10, 2026
- Staying Alive with the BeatAugust 10, 2026
- Life I HadAugust 10, 2026
- Bandanas Around My NeckAugust 10, 2026
- Continuing on 2August 4, 2026
- This Time AroundAugust 2, 2026
- Turning Turning TurningAugust 2, 2026
- This is My SongAugust 2, 2026
Moe's Puppetry
Moe brings characters to life through puppetry — storytelling in its most playful and profound form.
"Puppetry as a form of restorative care is possible. I wish there was a grant through the Connecticut Puppetry Guild to help disabled combat veterans…."
Puppets and My Cancer
How puppetry became a lifeline — and why Moe believes every veteran deserves access to this healing art form.
- The Birds Are GoneAugust 31, 2026Moe plays the accordion on this one
- What is Around the Corner?August 31, 2026
- Stay on My FeetAugust 31, 2026
- Ride an Old PaintAugust 31, 2026
- Sing a Song About "It"August 30, 2026
- I Am A PilgrimAugust 27, 2026
- Staying HealthyAugust 26, 2026
- Nightfall Composition with AccordionAugust 15, 2026
- Moving AlongAugust 15, 2026
- Kazooing AlongAugust 15, 2026
- Another KazooAugust 14, 2026
- What I Did ThenAugust 14, 2026
- Song to SingAugust 10, 2026
- Do Unto Earth as it is in HeavenAugust 10, 2026
- Staying Alive with the BeatAugust 10, 2026
- Life I HadAugust 10, 2026
- Bandanas Around My NeckAugust 10, 2026
- Continuing on 2August 4, 2026
- This Time AroundAugust 2, 2026
- Turning Turning TurningAugust 2, 2026
- This is My SongAugust 2, 2026
Moe's Puppetry
Moe brings characters to life through puppetry — storytelling in its most playful and profound form.
"Puppetry as a form of restorative care is possible. I wish there was a grant through the Connecticut Puppetry Guild to help disabled combat veterans…."
Puppets and My Cancer
How puppetry became a lifeline — and why Moe believes every veteran deserves access to this healing art form.
New zine · PDF
Cowboy Moe
Moe rides again — a new hand-drawn zine. Read it here or download and print it.
Download PDF21 pages · printable
Resilience
Moe’s 21-page visual reflection on resilience factors, inspired by Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges.
Read & print- Rupert the BearAugust 31, 2026Moe puts a picture of the children's book at the end
- Swiss Miss & the Good Fairy in ConnecticutAugust 31, 2026
- Ooodles and MoeAugust 26, 2026
- Guarding Dracula: Why We Need to Change for Better HealthAugust 26, 2026
- Kancer Man and His Tips On…August 26, 2026
- Mister Mitzvah: Why We Should GiveAugust 26, 2026
- Rupert and MeAugust 15, 2026
- Me and YouAugust 2, 2026
- Deer and Veteran MoeAugust 2, 2026
- Father & SonAugust 2, 2026
- They Gave Me a LotAugust 2, 2026
- Flying AroundAugust 10, 2026
- Keep Singing My SongsAugust 10, 2026
- Veteran Moe Starts All Over AgainAugust 10, 2026
Moe's Art to Lighten Your Heart
A new collection of Moe's hand-drawn characters — each one a small burst of warmth, humor, and humanity.
State of the Art: Connecticut Puppetry
Brought to you by Moe on the Go
"State of the Art: Connecticut Puppetry" — an exhibition held in Kent, Connecticut from July 3 to August 9, 2026, featuring works by artists from across the region, including Connecticut's own Big Bird and Alf. Moe exhibited here.
22 photos from the exhibition
More work is coming.
Moe is a veteran creating from the heart. Stay tuned as this collection grows.
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