NORMANDY, FRANCE 2017

Day 2

ARRAS/VIMY RIDGE

Day 3
DUNKIRK / ÉTRÉTAT

Day 4
JUNO BEACH / CAEN

Day 5
MONT SAINT-MICHEL

Day 6
BAYEUX

OSMOSIS

I find curious to think that the sound of the waves is relaxing. How is it that such a powerful and often loud phenomenon can bring a troubled mind such a state of calmness? From far away, the waves are certainly less threatening. Confronted to them however, feeling its movement, feeling how powerless you would be if it decided to take you away... I can always swim in the ocean a little at a time. I will do the starfish and close my eyes for a brief moment, only to open them again seconds later afraid that I drifted so far away from shore that I can't swim back.
I am afraid of the ocean.
Yet somehow its proximity brings peace to my heart, and that I will never be able to explain.

Then I thought; isn't it how I feel about love, too?
Am I not scared of it, but find comfort in the idea of it and what I see through others?
Love seems so inviting, from far away. Like the color of the ocean, like the fresh breeze it brings you, the cold water on your skin after a day in the sun.
Then you close your eyes for a brief moment...

...And you're so far away from shore that you can't swim back.

I AM FINE

The dryness. It's all I think about. I keep drinking water, it doesn't matter, it feels like my nose is about to bleed. Everything around me seems like a blur, images of mannequins seated in rows in awkward positions, trying to sleep, trying not to think about the time. I'm breathing slowly, so slowly... it feels like my heart could stop any minute. I can feel the air going through my nose, my throat, making me thirsty. My eyes are closed, trying to focus on my surroundings, but the dryness is all I think about. How I could use some tears right now, but they wouldn't get far.

I'm happy here, in this uncomfortable seat, feeling the soft vibration and quiet noise of the engines. Mostly, I have them, these strangers keeping me company in silence.

I am immobile, going 837 km per hour and I'm happy. Despite the dryness, despite knowing time is my silver lining, I know that tonight for the first time in weeks I'll be able to rest.
Then... tomorrow won't feel as dreadful and eventually, as days go by, I'll have the strength to love again.