Images Inspired by the Music of Olafur Arnalds

Only the Winds
The street was wet and glistening. I saw you in the distance.
You were looking away, out into the world beyond.
You were so close to me. So close.
You were so far.
I could not reach you.
I wanted to yell. I tried to yell.
I could not.
You ascended, higher and higher. Climbing, until the wispy clouds clothed you, made you transparent.
You were bathed in grey, bathed in white.
I ran.
I ran so fast. I stumbled. I skidded in the rain.
The puddles splashing all around me. I was soaking.
My eyes were so drenched. They were burning badly.
I ran. I kept running.
When I came upon the sole of your foot, I collapsed.
You were fading away. You weren’t ascending.
You were falling.
Falling so quickly from the clouds as if they unraveled and threw you.
Tossed an unwanted being. Ridding itself of all that is unnecessary.
I put out my hand for you. For you to catch, to grab.
Clasp.
Instead you looked at me and placed a finger to your lips.
A sweep of blue crashed below you, and instantly, the wind pushed and pulled, carrying you into the sea. Holding you as your eyes closed.
I climbed, ascended. The breeze engulfed me, swallowed me as I followed its current.
Soon I was bathed in blue and I could see you.
I could see your lips, pursed, with a finger over them. Eyes closed.
I smiled.

 

Words of Amber

 

This Place is a Shelter

 

We (too) Shall Rest

 

Carry Me Anew

 

All images were made—drawn, painted, or photo manipulated—and text written while listening to the named song under each piece. I love Olafur Arnald’s music. It is truly beautiful and evokes so much that the emotion can only be expressed through the songs.