"Morning Shift" by Taylor Neal

Lost and Found, August 2021. 35mm by Taylor Neal

Winter, 2021

rising, in the quiet stillness of the night, 

humble witnessing as Luna watches over our most vulnerable hours, sharing those sweet, peaceful, intimate moments in silence ~ just her and I ~ in the protection of a nurturing, heavy darkness 

cool air, calm, settled, suspended…

pale pink and blue raspberry 

the warmth of slumber lingering on tender skin and sips of steam

milky caffeine 

eyes, soft 

slow movement flows gently through space as light begins to trickle across the sky

I blow her a kiss goodbye and send her on her way in whispers as she fades 

~ making space ~

inviting her sun to take over the day 

painting fire

the energy rises as light spreads, pace quickens 

moments increase in vibrancy

into yang, yin pours. 

feet on the floor,

light spreads.

~ morning shift

Author’s Note: The poem is an interpretation of my experiences rising for early morning shifts ,as I work as a support worker in the DTES. I would rise each morning to find the moon protecting me, and we would have these tender, quiet mornings alone before anyone else was awake, which allowed me to move into my day in a peaceful, protected state of calm.

What Was Left (2), September 2019. 35mm (left) and Found Fleurz in the Rear, June 2021. 35mm (right) by Taylor Neal

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A Canadian multi-disciplinary artist, writer, yoga instructor and sex worker's advocacy support worker, Taylor strives to gain deeper understandings of the endless complexity that is human experience. They are committed to an ongoing exploration of intimacy and raw, authentic humanity, and they strive to translate this with their art, both verbal and visual. Practically, Taylor combines their background in dance and performance, their passion for the written word, and their curiosity within contemporary visual art and photography, with their studies in Communications, Art History, Feminist Theory, Design for Theatre and Fashion Design. Their cumulative artistic, somatic, and literary practice comes together as a holistic exploration of identity, movement, sexuality, and how the embodied subject navigates space and the natural world. To connect with Taylor, you may find them at their website taylorneal.ca, on Instagram @nzzltea, or through their podcast, Full Bloom Pod, on Apple Music and Spotify.