"When I Was Your Jess," lyrics by Jess Coffman

Toes in the sand,
Mist like a kiss.
The waves in my heart break,
Cause I miss your lips.

I see that smile,
It's seared in my mind.
I can't erase it,
With beauty or wine.

There was a season,
When you were all mine.
When we were sweet,
and green and blind.
But one day the wind blew,
The Truth in my ear,
And I couldn't un-know it,
And I couldn't un-hear it.

I couldn't have you, not anymore.
Somehow I'd leave you,
Somehow the door was closing.
I didn't know then,
It would be for the best.
I always thought that,
I'd be your Jess.

Each moment feels borrowed,
You feel wrong to the touch,
Why can't you belong to me?
When I love you so much.

Even in our own pictures,
Your face seems to fade.
And I am left alone standing,
Without any say.

There was a season,
When you were all mine.
Then God changed the discourse,
And I had to find him.
One day the wind blew,
The Truth in my ear,
And I couldn't un-know it,
And I couldn't un-hear it.

I couldn't have you, not anymore.
Somehow I'd leave you,
She'd be the door you'd open.
Although I know,
It's all for the best,
I miss your voice whispering,
That I was your Jess.

And she will inspire you,
And you will grow up.
You will adore her,
And you'll be enough.
And I'll still be chasing,
The Truth on the wind,
I'll never give up,
I'll just keep giving in,
I'll just keep listening.

I shouldn't have you, not anymore.
God helped me leave you,
He was the door I'd open.
Although I know,
It was all for the best.
I'll always love when I was your Jess.

I'll always love when, I was your Jess.

JESS COFFMAN

I wrote this song today at the beach, while I was reminiscing about a long ago love. I had such a beautiful day by myself. The beach is such a perfect place because it ignites all of the senses. 

Somehow, minding my own business, I found myself chatting with a very gregarious Italian, who happened to be a Professional Surfer/Windsurfer...that song is to come :) 

Peace, Waves, and Italians,

Your Jess 

"Serpent" lyrics by Jess Coffman

Euphoria in Dystopia.

I close my eyes and drop my mouth, 

Your lovin’ sticks like honey in summer, 

And just like a drought, your lovin’ is out. 

Your wily snake eyes prey on my soul,

And I lose self control, l lose sight of my whole.

Lascivious lullabies, creep in my bones.

Temptation is home. My red metronome. 

But Oh, I do this all the time. 

But Oh, I’m not in my prime.

And Oh, right when I am aware,

You’re not even there. 

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat, 

Rush, Love, Fall,

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat,

Rush, Love, Fall,

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat,

Rush, Love, Fall, 

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.

My vision blurred, by off-centered heart.

Is this love, or less than fake?

The mirror cracks, I’m smacked awake,

Something in my brain quakes.

I’m ragged raw, from wiping up, 

The sweat from pain, the pull from strain, 

My writhing hips, collapse in the beat, 

As I give in your city heat.

But Oh, I do this all the time. 

But Oh, I’m not in my prime. 

And Oh, right when I am aware,

You’re not even there. 

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat, 

Rush, Love, Fall,

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat,

Rush, Love, Fall,

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat,

Rush, Love, Fall, 

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.

Puppet me please.

Blow smoke up my ass.

Tell me I’m a blast

And this love will last, 

Let this lover last, oh oh. 

Puppet me please.

Don’t stop til I blow.

And then I will know, 

It’s not all for show

It’s not all a show, oh  

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat, 

Rush, Love, Fall,

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat,

Rush, Love, Fall,

Rush, Love, Fall, Repeat,

Rush, Love, Fall, 

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.

JESS COFFMAN

Hey Friends! I am so excited to post this Lorde style set of lyrics for my newest inspiration, "Serpent." My great friend and soul sister Elise Sievert Bhushan, has written a short film, and has asked me to write the title song! The film sounds amazing. Elise and I met dancing in a production of The King And I. Let's just state a fact, our characters were meant to be Asian...and well...she's a beautiful blonde German girl. Anyway...we share this love and knowledge of dance, and we get to use our dance skills in new ways in our current directions of creativity. I am of course pursuing poetry and songwriting, she is pursuing writing/directing/editing/producing/acting for t.v. and film. She also has a podcast...she's busy ya'll and killin' it. 

Our dance backgrounds have really come in handy in this short film process so far. The film's main character "Brie," is a dancer whom Elise will play, and she has asked me to write the sultry, dark, tortured song, that "Brie" will dance to in the film! Elise and I spoke about the theme, feel and tempo, but it was really great getting the chance to write the lyrics and consider the song from a dancer's perspective, as far as dynamics and interpretation. I loved being able to write the song while imagining dancing it at the same time. 

Now, this is just the first draft, so I may have another version of "Serpent," to post, and I may have to write a whole new song if this is not the right fit for her vision. I am prepared mentally for both. Honestly, I hope that she likes it, but I'm also not that attached at this point. I am the vessel. The work comes through me and I write it down. No more, no less. 

Please check out Elise's podcast Nothing Shines Like Dirt, "it jumps head first into unpredictable dialogue about creating your own work with guest artists in the entertainment industry. We will slide into conversations about work, creativity, and the art of storytelling. And don't worry, we promise it will be full of playful insights into the little and not so little idiosyncrasy of day to day life. So let's get started empowering and connecting artists! Love (yes we choose love). 

Elise and Leslie, are tying to reach 1,000 subscribers for Nothing Shine Like Dirt by July 4th. You can go to http://www.elisesievert.com/nsld-podcast/ to get more info and subscribe! 

Check out how charming, smart and beautiful Elise and Leslie are as they seek to connect with you and share their connections and knowledge with you!

https://vimeo.com/166834079

Elise and I dancing for real, with Bounce Entertainment,
at the Ritz Carlton at Battery Park in NYC.
We kicked our faces Rockette style with 10 other beautiful and talented ladies.
Thanks Molly Booth Alvarez! 

Thank-you for all of your love and support!

Peace, Serpents and Storytelling,

Your Jess

"All Fall Down," lyrics by Jess Coffman

A waterfall of courage stinging down his throat.

Blackness creeping in, erasing every note.

There’s lipstick on her lips, but no one hears her voice.

She pulls him to her hips as if she had no choice. 

I’m dancin’ now and dying to love on you,

Free my arms, and show me what you want to do.

My heart is full of whiskey, all I have is time.

This makes me feel like shit, 

But I can’t quit. 

I’m dancin’ now and dying to love on you,

Free my arms, and show me what you want to do.

My heart is full of whiskey, all I have is time.

This makes me feel like shit, 

But I can’t quit. 

I'm stuck within these walls, the fake, is breaking me, 

This world of smoke and mirrors is overtaking me,

Nobody’s life is changing for the greater good, 

I'm fallin' down, but I don’t leave,
I know I should. 

I’m dancin’ now and dying to love on you,

Free my arms and show me what you want to do.

My heart is full of whiskey, all I have is time.

This makes me feel like shit, 

But I can't quit. 

Champagne’s on fire, 

Bills are flyin’ in the air,

Makes us feel wild all night,

Makes me toss my hair,

The flashing lights illuminate me like a star,

The blackness shields, from seeing who we truly are.

He passes out. She’s givin’ in,

Play in this place, nobody wins,

I know the truth, I see the light. 

But there’s no saving my soul tonight.

Light up a match and smoke me out, 

Show me what love is all about.

I can't judge, I’m just the same,

When the sins of the night call out my name.

When we all fall down...

I’m dancin’ now and dying to love on you,

Free my arms and show me what you want to do.

My heart is full of whiskey, all I have is time.

This makes me feel like shit, 

But I can’t quit.

JESS COFFMAN

I wrote the lyrics to this song, as part of a collaboration with a guitar player that I had known since high school. His name is, no joke…T-Bone Rogers. We had collaborated on a few songs that I had written previously for myself. When his band’s lead singer/lyricist parted for “artistic differences,” he asked me to write lyrics for one of their songs. It was the first time, that I had gotten the chance to write lyrics for a piece that was finished musically, and wasn't my own music. It was additionally, a thirilling challenge for me, because the feel of the music was completely different from my style naturally. The artists that I could see singing this song would be Pink, and possibly Gwen Stefani, though it would be on the darker end for Gwen Stefani. 

The inspiration for these lyrics came from an unprecedented and undesirable night that I spent observing the behavior of myself and other peeps, in a hot new dance club in Hollywood. I had been dating a guy at the time, which was many years ago at this point. He had taken me to this club, along with a few of this brothers and brother-in-law. I was slightly uncomforable with the company to begin with, and truthfully, I didn’t really like the guy I was dating. I think the night that I wrote these lyrics was the very last night that we saw one another. 

I was very turned off by the whole experience. I have never been one to care about, or even know about the newest, hottest dance clubs. Give me a craft beer, a Ms. Pacman machine, and people dancing ironically, and I’m down. Or…give me a dry, spicy red wine, a black cocktail dress and a jazz trio, and I’m equally down. But, I’m absolutely NOT into waiting ANY amount of time in line outside of a club, behind a red rope, only to get in and be hit on by sweaty dudes on cocaine. 

Nope. 

So this night was fascinating, in a kind-of a terrible way. I couldn’t leave because the boys had driven me there, and I was in L.A. which lacks reliable late-night public transportation. I was also, fairly poor at the time and I really didn't have money for a cab to head home by myself. The upside to this whole experience for me, was of course that it created such an “emotional stamp,” that I was able to write a whole set of lyrics about it. 

T-Bone and his band didn’t end choosing to keep the lyrics, but it was a fantastic opportunity, to write words to music that I was not emotionally or creatively connected to at all. I would love to do much more of that. Hit me up friends, if you happen to be a kick-ass musician looking for a lady who's all about them words. 

This is a photo of me, Kevin Hastings, Dru DeCaro and R.J. Kelly, kicking' it in NYC after they played The Governor's Ball with R&B artist Miguel. They are amazingly talented, kind and creative men. I was grateful to share space and beautiful conversation with them. 

Peace, Sweat and Lipstick,

Your Jess

"The Bunny and The Woman," a poem by Jess Coffman

Charcoal face and charcoal ears,
With the stillness of a flower.
I was writing with forced gratitude,
And he stopped to watch me struggle.

He didn't dodge away in fear,
Just stayed a still, soothing presence,
Of a wise, sage Healer,
Clothed in fur and skin and bones.

I expected him to flee,
But after every sentence written,
I'd look up to see him watching.
Meaning I was not alone.

And when he finally scampered,
My eyes were down and focused,
Though, I made my peace in solitude,
I feared the numb settling in.

But to my surprise and pleasure,
As I walked around the corner,
He was waiting calm and silent,
As if, to hop me home.

I had an instinct to follow,
As if he'd lead me into Heaven,
Instead I sat down in the shade,
And spent a curious time with him.

He was unafraid and natural,
He even closed his eyes in slumber,
And I watched him with compassion,
As wild creatures sometimes do.

He stayed with me, a distance,
But even when a dog approached us,
I prayed for his leave and safety,
But his obedience was his bliss.

When finally left me, loving,
I wasn't dreary any longer,
I felt a hand on my face easing,
The stress of time and inner health.

And it stroked my hair saying:
"See, I'll never leave you lonely,
Take the time to see the beauty,
In the quiet moments, still.

Be still and watch creation,
Allow a little life to heal you.
Take comfort in the silvery webs
that sway in morning sun.

And listen to the bird song,
They sing songs of grace and worship,
When they glide over your body,
They'll lift your blanket of despair.

Then you'll be bare and in the summer sun.
With all you need around you,
The branches will enwrap you,
And the stones will guide your feet.

All that seems you need, is nothing,
You were meant to stop and take in,
As a healer for your generation,
Help them see the light I give."

Then he hopped away sweetly,
And without sadness or affliction,
I picked up my coffee and humble pen.
And walked emboldened, back into life.

JESS COFFMAN

Sometimes God shows up in the eyes of a bunny.
Observe each other in patience and silence.
In the revealing, there is healing.

Peace, hoping and hopping,

Your Jess

"The Woman and The Tree," a poem by Jess Coffman

She’s loving herself gently today,

Sipping on elderflower rose lemonade,

Feeling privileged and fancy.

She crosses her heart,

With the promise to be a spontaneous blessing, 

to a stranger in the near future. 

She's loving herself sincerely today.

Eyes postured up to the sky, 

Her eyelids closed in warm meditation.

Lashes bathed in sunlight,

She invites and cultivates the calm.

She opens her eyes, now aware, 

Of a friendly Tree outside of the cafe window.

The Tree moves as she does,

Completely unconcerned and with great joy, 

to the sensual sounds of a well-handled guitar,

And lazy day violin. 

The Tree nods at the Woman,

And the Woman nods back,

With curiosity and intentions of mutual respect.

A revelation of affinity resounds within them. 

Both transplants, attempting resilience.

Though the roots of the Tree are masterful and enduring,

But the roots of the Woman, 

As untethered and artful as tentacles. 

Two holy creations.

One, utterly blameless.

The other, dragging around much blame. 

The Tree, developing in holy and natural obedience.

The Woman, developing in wholly and natural rebellion. 

The Woman's breath is  shallow and slow, 

Though the Tree receives her gift of breath with gratitude,

And gifts back in exhale, 

Sighing a prayer of healing to the Woman. 

The Woman, feeling slightly unworthy, 

Dips her chin downward,

Yet, breathes in a prayer of release.

The wind carries in an answer.

And the weight of blame, vaporizes in the heat of the sun.

With a warm wash of silent resolve,

She raises her head, 

in acceptance of this gift of holiness. 

The Tree’s leaves, leap in joyous delight.

The Woman's heart squeezes and leaps 

Just once in fellowship. 

A tear, a smile, and a giggle is shared. 

The Tree bows to the Woman,

And the Woman, hand to chest, curtseys back. 

In Redemption and Grace. 

JESS COFFMAN 

"Overthrown," lyrics by Jess Coffman

There's a panic in my chest,

The heartbeat of the insane.

There's a burning in my shoes,

Disillusion in my brain. 

I'm afraid that I can't see,

I've lost sight of the wild.

Are you really good for me?

Or do you treat me like a child?

Will I come around, come around, come? 

Or will you beat me down, 

Beat me down and down?

Will you take my heart, my naivety?

Will you turn me on, and then turn it on me?

Will you lift me up, lift me up, up?

Will you fill me up, will you fill my cup?

And will I overflow, overflow with you?

But will I overthrow, my own life too?

I don't want to live my life,

Out of love and out of fear.

But you made this choice for me,

When you blamed me, out of fear.

You're not allowed to put up walls,

Cause I refuse to be your doll.

I can't lay here in your bed,

And say nothing at all. 

Will I come around, come around, come? 

Or will you beat me down, 

Beat me down and down?

Will you take my heart, my naivety?

Will you turn me on, and then turn it on me?

Will you lift me up, lift me up, up?

Will you fill me up, will you fill my cup?

And will I overflow, overflow with you?

But will I overthrow, my own life too?

I don't need to be dramatic 

But I don't need to be used,

Your lies slit your own wrists,

But I'm the one who's abused.

I can't make the end easy, 

If you're not willing too,

I thought I needed you baby,

But I don't want you. 

So I'll never come around, come around, come.

You'll always beat me down,

Beat me down, down. 

You'll always take my heart, my naivety.

You'll turn me on, and then turn on me. 

You'll always lift me up,

Lift me up, up.

But never fill me up, never fill my cup. 

And though I'll overflow, overflow will you,

I'll always overthrow my own life too. 

I'll always overthrow my own life too. 

JESS COFFMAN

I wrote these lyrics, with a loose melody to them, but the style is definitely kind of that Pink pop-rock feel. I would want the music to be somewhat aggressive with electric guitars and drums, but accessible enough to play on the radio. Pink would be the perfect artist to sing "Overthrown," because she has that hard, honest, unlucky-in love-but-ready-to-kick-ass-over-it, sensibility, which is exactly what this song needs. I don't even know if I'm enough of a badass to sing it! All of the questions in the chorus, are meant to come across very confrontational, and the change to statements in the final chorus denotes her resolve to leave her relationship. I personally really like the moment of strength that confesses when she says, "I thought I needed you baby, But I don't want you," in the bridge. She is really taking back her independence and choice here, to choose her lover and not simply to be subjected to being chosen by a man. Pink also sings these really feminist driven songs that are often times anthemic, that is also why Pink is the right artist for this song, it compliments her branding and natural energy. 

Thanks for reading!

Peace, love and Bad Ass Bitches,

Your Jess

"A door," a poem by Jess Coffman

An unseen subway violinist,

Plays a familiar forlorn melody,

Scoring our farewell embrace. 

I’m on my tip toes reaching,

You are hunching and holding.

Our hearts slightly sunken and confused.

We treaded lightly for so many years,

And the thickness of loyalty 

Kept a door between us locked.

But I could see you,

Seeing me, through the peephole. 

I made you breakfast.

The ripe warm summer peach on our lips,

The juice, sweet and quenching

The thirst that comes from a depriving winter. 

I lit a candle for our union,

Fresh lavendar, eucalyptues and mint,

The scent imbued our senses,

Calmed the slow approaching,

And always forgottten,

But inevitable blues. 

I said goodbye without knowing,

That the door would close again,

Never to be opened again. 

That I would clothe the peep hole from the inside,

And you would approach another door.

Much more quickly than I had hoped.

It shouldn’t have been love,

But I wanted you to adore me. 

Though the shame tainted us both,

And the adoration melted from a warm and hazy pink fog,

Once again to a thick, locked door,

Never to be opened again.

But sometimes I could feel you,

Waiting silently on the other side.

JESS COFFMAN

I took this photo a few weekends ago when I had the privilege to be introduced to Dia Contemporary Art Museum in Beacon, New York. I love this piece so much created by Robert Irwin's called Excursus: Homage to the Square,³ because it was so interactive and provided me with so many metaphors about direction, choice and opportunity. It was interactive in the sense that it was essentially a huge maze and you could walk through the piece and choose your own adventure. I love contmeporary art pieces like that. I am personally most moved by modern art, and the child in me as well as the teacher of small children, always wants to interact with the art and shape it, based on the way it's shaping me in the moment. Let’s create more expansive, durable, shape-shifting art like this contemporary artists…what do you say?

Peace, a door and adoring,

Your Jess  

"Only For You," lyrics by Jess Coffman

I hide a little love away,
In a secret place,
That's only for you,
Only for you.

I could love another face,
But it's just not the same,
It's saved only for you.
Only for you.

I could feel love for him now,
But it won't make me love you any less,
There's no chance my love's running out.
I grow more each day,
And I hide some away,
Only for you.

16 bar string heavy instrumental break in 3/4 time signature.

He could make me cry with laughter,
Then leave my heart the moment after.
He was my first and only everything.

He could break me with a letter,
He always hoped for something better.
And I was never something better, to him.

And so I left, with the choice to find my breath
That was knocked right out of me,
That leads to life, and leads to you eventually.

I hide a little love away
In a secret place,
That's only for you.
Only for you.

I could love another face,
But it's just not the same,
It's saved only for you.
Only for you.

He may get soft kisses now,
It won't make me kiss you any less.
Traces of love, that I've given out.
They'll lead me to the day,
When I'll choose to stay,
Only for you.

16 bar string heavy instrumental break in 3/4 time signature.

He was sweet, the sweetest peach, but 

There was much that I had to teach, cause 

I was his first and only everything. 

I was sure I was to marry,

This patient man so bright and merry,

Until the day I couldn't carry both of us. 

So I left, with the push from his breath,

That was knocked right out of him,

That lead me to God, and leads to you eventually. 

I hide a little love away,
In a secret place,
That's only for you,
Only for you.

I could love another face,
But it's just not the same,
It's saved only for you.
Only for you. 

I could feel love for him now,
But it won't make me love you any less,
There's no chance my love's running out.
I grow more each day,
And I hide some away,
Only for you.

I could feel love for him now,
But I know it won't be a love to last,
Deep in my heart, I'm holding out,
I can't wait for the day,
When I'll give it all away,
Only for you.

It's not like I start out knowin'
And I don't break heart's for the fun of it.
But as soon as I know he's not the one,
I start getting over it.
And I've nothing to show for it.

I hide a little love away,
In a secret place,
That's only for you.
Only for you.

I could love another face,
But it's just not the same,
It's saved only for you.
Only for you.

I hide a little love away,
In a secret place,
That's only for you.
Only for you.

I could love another face,
But it's just not the same,
It's saved only for you.
Only for you.
Only for you.

JESS COFFMAN

"Only For You," has a very contemporary and worldly theme. I don't know that it is entirely ethical either, or if not unethical, than potentially not romantic. The song is written from the perspective of a woman singing to her future husband. The intention of the lyrics are certainly not as pure and loyal as they could potentially come across. Within the song, the future wife admits the reality of essentially not saving herself fully for her future husband, while being in loving relationships with other men. She does however have the awareness and desire to "hide a little love away" not fully giving of herself either, to the men that precede her husband. I think the woman is trying to reconcile to herself and her future husband, the fact that she has not "saved" herself for him.  And this goes far behind being concerned about not being sexually pure. She is essentially calling herself out, and reassuring her future husband that, there is still an endless amount of discovery to be had. There will be new adventures to explore, new inside jokes, new memories to be made among the memories that exist and will never fully be erased with the men of her past. There will also be a newfound trust, independence, assurance and a giving over emotionally to the man who eventually becomes her husband. Though it is ideal and a reality for some people to save themselves entirely for their future mate, for most in these current times, it's not a choice that people often choose. I've had to reconcile my own feelings in this matter, by coming to the realization that every relationship that I have had up to this point, has caused me to be more patient, more honest and more responsible for myself. This is precisely why I don't regret the significant relationships I've had in my life. They only have lead me closer and help me fine tune what I really want in a man, and the kind of wife I eventually want to be. There are plenty of unfortunate decisions I made with my heart in my youth, but I am happy to be on the other side of that at this point.

This is dedicated to the men, I've loved who will never become my husband.

This piece is called "Head of a Sleeping Woman," painted by my favorite artist Pablo Picasso. One day I hope to be loved by a man so much, that just the sight of me sleeping, inspires him to create. 

Peace, love and hope,

Your Jess

"My Weary Heart" lyrics to a blue grass ballad by Jess Coffman

My weary heart... 
It's howling and wounded,
You can't kiss it or spoon it,
It lays 'lone on the ground. 


My weary heart...
It's heavy and frowning', 
It's dreary and soundin', 
This blue ditty now. 


And each day I walk past,
A soul seen as the last,
From misfortunes in life 
They've endured. 

I ask God how and why?
And what purpose have I
To give of His peace as the cure?

My stupid heart...
It's trying, but selfish.
I can't seem to be selfless,
I fall just when I get up.

My trying heart...
It's confused and it's battered,
Everything is the matter,
From this hole in my cup.

And it's never fulfilled, 
And it's make me ill,
It's the sickness that burdens us all.

It's a loneliness game 
With an unknown name,
So I pray to the Maker of all. 

My beating heart...
It fails every endeavor,
But I promise I'll never,
Chose to lose all my hope. 

My beating heart...
It's tempted to crumble,
From each time that I stumble,
But with you Lord, I'll cope. 

And though I always forget 
The first day that we met,
And the hand you extended to mine.

When I fail on my own,
I see I'm not all alone,
And the veil falls away from the blind. 

My weary heart.
My trying heart.
My beating heart.

JESS COFFMAN

Today's song was actually written about two weeks ago, after I had spend some time on the phone with my friend Robyn O'Shea. I met Robyn last summer while performing for Transcendence Theatre Company, in Sonoma, CA. Her purple pansy-covered cane had fallen off of the counter in the optometrist's office we were in, and I picked it up for her. That basically started it all. She calls me her "adopted daughter," her "dancing angel." Truly, she is my angel too. She used to be the Chaplain for a jail in the San Francisco Bay Area, and has dedicated her entire life being of service to abused women, children and the poor. Now that she is disabled, she tells me that her ministry has changed, and she is so grateful for the perspective and the opportunity to be of service to her new community. 

"My Weary Heart," sprung out of a conversation, with Robyn where I confided that sometimes when I have been of service to the poor and needy, I feel absolutely hopeless afterward. I know in some way that a smile, listening ear, meal or chat can be a great help to someone, I've experience being rejuvenated by just one stranger's smile myself. But I struggle with the fact that there are so many people living on the streets of New York that are afflicted in a variety of ways, and just millions of people with the money to get all of those willing, off of the streets. When I feel weary, it is often because though, I can help in a small way, what my friends on the street really need is someone to take a much larger risk and to open a much bigger door for them, that I don't have the means to provide. 

While Robyn and I were speaking on the phone, I walked through Riverside Park and sat in front of the docks by the 72nd street Boat Basin. I sat there in awe, staring at the huge aggressive storm clouds and the persistent sun beams that shot down to the river in celestial exuberance. I felt almost afraid as I waited for what was going to happen next. Then the rain broke and it rained so hard. I sat still and allowed myself to get wet, just watching the rocking sailboats and the magnificent sky. Water always makes the weary renewed in its way. Then on two different benches, in two different boroughs of New York, I wrote this song. 

These photos of me are within a Richard Serra piece at DIA contemporary art museum in Beacon, New York. I had had a beautiful experience of soul-inspired improvised dance, within several of these pieces when they were on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, many years ago. Walking in that room and seeing these pieces, took my breath away. I was so grateful to feel moved to dance within them again, and to absolutely feel small and humbled within their presence. 

Peace, Sculpture and Storms,

Your Jess