Breathe
Art Direction and Photograph by: Catie Menke. Model: Jaimie Cossa.
Poem by: Lisa Vega
Model: Jaimie Cossa
Creative Direction: Catie Menke
Breathe
by Lisa Vega
Atop a cliff beside the ocean
Metered breath above the shore
Outer stillness, inner motion
Inhale six and exhale four
Art Direction and Photograph by: Catie Menke. Model: Jaimie Cossa.
Inhale balm of cypress trees
Exhale restless churning tides
Adrift in tranquil reveries
Where naught but sense and self resides
Where none but here and now may speak
Where past and future have no sway
And I, who inner stillness seek
In desperation long to say
But desperate longing makes a sound
And noise will vex a crowded mind
It's fine—inhale, come back around
Exhale, leave vexing thoughts behind
Back in the body, fingers, toes
As light begins to fill each space
And like the water, ebbs and flows
And wraps me in its cool embrace
It's here in gentle arms I find
Myself with greater latitude
Free from the burdens of my mind
And bathed instead in gratitude
And once I've set my day's intent
Open my eyes and move my limbs
I'll sit a while, at last content
Beneath the seabirds' rambling hymns
Art Direction and Photograph by: Catie Menke. Model: Jaimie Cossa.
With spirits soaring, calm and free
High above the sun-kissed sand
Looking toward the vast blue sea
I stretch my legs and rise to stand
Descend the cliff beside the ocean
Bated breath for what's in store
Inner stillness, outer motion
Inhale six and exhale four
keep up with us
