Resilience In Us
Vet to Vet Community

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.

— Moe

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.

Larry Visits Connecticut
Larry Littlebird came to Connecticut — Elder from Pueblo Native America of Rio Grande Valley, blessing the land of the first Native American reservation and containment (1638), near New Haven airport. Photos and poem by Moe.

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.

1 of 7
Moe's story of Larry — page 1: Met Larry Littlebird. Plains of New Mexico.
Met Larry Littlebird. Plains of New Mexico.
2 of 7
Moe's story of Larry — page 2: Larry, George and me. Drove to San Francisco.
Larry, George and me. Drove to San Francisco.
3 of 7
Moe's story of Larry — page 3: Went hunting. Larry and me.
Went hunting. Larry and me.
4 of 7
Moe's story of Larry — page 4: Larry Littlebird said: Big things happen in these mountains for centuries.
Larry Littlebird said: Big things happen in these mountains for centuries.
5 of 7
Moe's story of Larry — page 5: Night before cancer treatments started, October 2019.
Night before cancer treatments started, October 2019.
6 of 7
Moe's story of Larry — page 6: Larry died — got message. Just an email.
Larry died — got message. Just an email.
7 of 7
Moe's story of Larry — page 7: My steps count. Living like Larry taught me.
My steps count. Living like Larry taught me.

In Moe's Own Hand

Poems and drawings from Moe's years on the reservation, in memory of Larry Littlebird.

In memoriam

Larry Littlebird

Keres Pueblo storyteller, filmmaker, painter, and culture bearer. Shared here with Moe's blessing, in his memory.

Larry Littlebird
Larry Littlebird
Larry Littlebird
Larry Littlebird — obituary and memorial
Larry Littlebird and Moe together at a café
Larry Littlebird and Moe

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.

Went walking under the street lamp — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
Could this be me as robot? — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
On my knees someday, robot of me — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
Bus drives up to pick up Veterans — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
My circle of recovery is staying outdoors — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
My recovery is staying books reading — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
Drawing my pictures heals me thru reframing my life — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
After Christmas New York, the headlights, the traffic — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
The head of the eagle looked over me — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
The fox waits out in the woods, ran in circles when saw me — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
Goose so fat, no more migration, stays here, eats all day — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
Go back to country singing, got a way to sing those tunes — My Circle of Recovery by Moe
My recovery go with green, stay with green — My Circle of Recovery by Moe

13 pieces — August 5, 2026

Live & in person

Moe in His Own Words

A veteran's voice — unfiltered, alive, and present.

Live Performance · February 2026

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 Armstrong live performance — Finding Voice & Vision, San Francisco VA Medical Center, February 2026
Watch on YouTube
Moe being Moe
Moe Armstrong — himself, in his own words
Watch on YouTube
August 14, 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.

Penguin comes in again — maybe ice melting, maybe just wants to see what is out there. Moe
Muffin the mule goes to bed. Moe
Orange tiger cat. Moe
Looking for colours in black and white world. Moe
Springing out of the shrubs, looking for way thru. Moe
Circle in shape of web — we might move in circles or only be in a web. Moe
She came out, stamped her feet, dance began. Moe
Having a bear of a time while sitting on hillside. Moe
Condor comes back. Moe
Man holding colorful balloons. Moe
Here with Trojan Pig. Moe
Wanted to know cat. Moe
Image inside bowl, 2,000 years ago. Moe
We once walked together. Moe
Barns by side of road, rail lines and roads we move along, see red barn painted. Moe
Green and purple figure with wild hair. Moe
Rainbows out of a gun, Moe says.
Coming home after the war, wanted to live with rainbows rain and peace, my life. Moe
Have you ever seen a giraffe laugh? Having fun eating leaves. Moe

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.

Moe at the Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit — August 2026
Director Adelka Polak, Moe, and his wife (Left to Right)
Handmade doll puppet with blonde braided hair and purple flower — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Sculptural animal figures on display — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Wooden birdhouse sculpture with mouse figurine — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Puppet characters on display — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Handmade doll on red platform — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Big Bird from Connecticut with exhibitor — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Green frog sculpture on pedestal — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Gallery wall with framed photographs of performers — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Large sculptural bird figures suspended from ceiling — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Connecticut Guild of Puppetry banner quilt — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Gallery interior with mixed media puppet installations — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Great blue heron puppet sculpture on display — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Realistic wolf or coyote puppet close-up — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Reindeer and elf puppet riding a bicycle — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Large green-bearded forest figure puppet — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Puppet animals flanking The Charter scroll — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Detailed crocodile puppet sculpture — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Large animal head puppets — giraffe, gorilla, and lion — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Comedy and drama face masks on gallery wall — Kent CT Puppetry Exhibit
Wall-mounted puppet figures on display — State of the Art: Connecticut Puppetry Exhibit
Colorful bird marionette puppet — State of the Art: Connecticut Puppetry Exhibit

22 photos from the exhibition

More work is coming.

Moe is a veteran creating from the heart. Stay tuned as this collection grows.

Explore the Community
Resilience In Us

An inspirational space of resilience - for meaning  and purpose discovery, moment to moment and until our last breath, inspired by my beloved husband's work with fellow veterans, his colleagues,  Viktor Frankl, and my inspiring veteran buddies and acquaintances.  This is also a personal project for my Viktor Frankl Logotherapy diplomate, putting what I have learned to practice to help others.  Input resources are selected by me and used by AI to generate output - daily reflections and tools.

© 2026 Resilience In Us. All rights reserved.