ENCOUNTER WITH THE NAIAD
modeling by Mandragora
an RR22 production by Emma King
photographs by Andyland
modeling by Mandragora
words by Thuja
she is reaching down into the water
there is a moment of silence like the
space between two rings of the bell
her face is covered with pearls and
a simple cloth falls from her back to
her waist to her thigh & she has not
been here before you are sure of it
as you are always near in the other
room & never before heard a sound
to indicate a visitor like her but of
course she makes no sound now she
moves silently and quick her hand is
reaching deep into the water as if
she is searching for something you
wonder if she hears you she takes
no notice you hold your breath to
keep from moving but it is too late
there is a moment of silence like the
space between two rings of the bell
her face is covered with pearls and
a simple cloth falls from her back to
her waist to her thigh & she has not
been here before you are sure of it
as you are always near in the other
room & never before heard a sound
to indicate a visitor like her but of
course she makes no sound now she
moves silently and quick her hand is
reaching deep into the water as if
she is searching for something you
wonder if she hears you she takes
no notice you hold your breath to
keep from moving but it is too late
a sound like a tempest fills your head she threatens but does not kill
there is call for celebration if you would but join me here in the water
join me
listen the sea speaks through pipes
of fire on the water black water at night and green in the white morning we were shamed but not forgotten poisoned but not forever like the mushrooms there is much left to say listen speak not in words think of it if you could not leave as I cannot all places being the same without doors would you find time to forget love think without your words she asks so you watch as if made of thin glass as she is filled with revelation and the fire with her dances wildly to the coming storm
of fire on the water black water at night and green in the white morning we were shamed but not forgotten poisoned but not forever like the mushrooms there is much left to say listen speak not in words think of it if you could not leave as I cannot all places being the same without doors would you find time to forget love think without your words she asks so you watch as if made of thin glass as she is filled with revelation and the fire with her dances wildly to the coming storm
how I have hungered she says without words
free me from this entrapment from this poison free me or die
it’s been so long living in these pipes
between here & there with the fish
with the bottles and the lost things
every color water the sick and well
to the place where tears run black
the city below and within this one
never dry always echoing between
from this portal to the next & back
turned from rush of hot open & fall
down to your skin or cold in summer
what if i dream of deserts and rain
on some burnt forest
between here & there with the fish
with the bottles and the lost things
every color water the sick and well
to the place where tears run black
the city below and within this one
never dry always echoing between
from this portal to the next & back
turned from rush of hot open & fall
down to your skin or cold in summer
what if i dream of deserts and rain
on some burnt forest
the candlelight is the key from this wet portal to the next evaporate me
what a beautiful home you have this dry & still place such lovely things
but i can’t stay here the cavern calls for all water to find it’s way back
Mandragora is a NYC based model and leech doctor.
Find her on insta @swanbyte
photos by andyland:
:produced by thuja