AIR, Artists in Reach, is a non-profit organization that provides enriching arts and cultural experiences to teenage girls. This year's theme was Body Image. The girls practiced yoga with Lily Sibley at Ocean Spirit Yoga studio, then under the guidance of poet, Mimi White they wrote and shared poems about that experience. The Portsmouth Health food store provided a delicious healthy lunch that fortified the girls for the remainder of their day in Portsmouth. Under the direction of photographer, Courtney Bent, the girls fanned our around the city and took photographs of scenes and images that spoke to something in their poems. The girls participating in the AIR program are from the Dover, Durham, Somersworth area of New Hampshire.
Please enjoy some of the poetry written by the participants of this program:
Dearest Lady,
Thank you for letting me wander your
gardens.
Gorgeous. Trees and Flowers everywhere,
as were you.
Silver and wise.
Lady of nature.
Lady of the night.
My body was your body.
You kept me safe
while I wandered alone
what was never mine.
Lady, why were you hiding?
Your solemn eyes too
beautiful, too sad.
Were you aware of my being?
Did you know I was
coming?
Oh lady, my Lady, I was
lost, but then I found you
sitting by the river of life
with child in your arms.
Blessed be, my lady.
Tiffany Fuller
Hello Body
Hello kidneys!
Where did you come from?
I didn’t know you were there.
Today I discovered you.
Today I could feel you.
Today I learned who you were.
Hello ribcage!
I knew you were there somewhere,
but I could never find you!
Today I found you.
Today I felt you move.
Today I learned more about you.
Hello feet!
How have you been?
I never paid attention to you.
Today I noticed you.
Today I felt new things from you.
Today I learned you’re amazing.
Hello body!
I know more about you.
I felt new things from you.
Today I listened to you.
Today I felt everything.
Today I realized how much I have.
Thank you body!
Meagan Paige
My Body Holds
First I am aware of everything surrounding me.
The trickle of the fountain.
The patterns of the light falling across the floor
or the voice of the building, humming and creaking.
Then I close my eyes and draw within
bringing my consciousness inside to my core.
I begin to feel my breath.
I notice the mat, sticky beneath my bare feet.
I move and less body parts begin to talk to me.
I am still aware of those outside noises,
but my body holds the focus.
The stress that controls my life,
it’s fallen away. Peace.
Molly Hearn
Yoga
As though I flew away
Alone…alongside my friends
So relaxed. I am peaceful.
I am alone in my own little
corner of the world.
I am not judged here.
My arms reach out
and flow forever
like a flowing stream
over stones and sticks
of pain and troubles
and forgetting about it all
even for just a moment
I am clear and beautiful
me.
A strong, silent waterfall
long green fields,
these images of nature.
I am here,
I am alone,
I am at peace,
I am happy.
And here, I just am.
Trisha Lindstrum
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