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Learn to Swim

from Igiene by Maya Elena

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about

Inner-child work at play. Observe a scar's perfect imperfection, beauty that comes from pain, rebirth that comes from cellular death.

The first wound is the last wound to heal. I know myself through healing. I was just tryin' to make a cool piece of art but it added up to living the song I wrote. Or is the song I wrote just me living?


My dear friend Jody Tschida of Anna Maria Island Henna is the amazing artist that graced my flesh with her vision - we worked with the scar, framed it, and decorated it.

Nina Louisa captured these pictures at Minnehaha Falls. I loved working with a team of women to create this piece of storytelling + art + song!

lyrics

Got a case of the 21st Century Millennial blues,
Sign petitions, go to rallies, be an ally, but I just can't stomach to watch the news.
Saw a therapist, she was nice, gave good advice, but I couldn't afford the co-pay to keep her,
Dreams seem to dwindle as the worry lines on my forehead grow deeper.

But at least I can write this song,
At least music won't treat me wrong.
At least you can sing along,
At least if we know we were bound to drown,
we can learn to swim.

I've fought my demons for two decades long now, with enough fire and conviction to coin a battle cry.
I've flown to several continents and abused many vices, when I saw my shadow's there I'd still pass them by.
I've been frozen in pain in plain sight, and my tears have run dry, salt begins to calcify.
My life goals are a flower child's fever dream and living any other life I just can't justify.

But at least I can write this song,
At least music won't treat me wrong.
At least you can sing along,
At least if we know we were bound to drown,
we can learn to swim.

Paid out of pocket for the services and supplements, programs, products, gizmos, gadgets, everything in between.
Healing by stretching in 80% humidity, 105 degrees, sweatin' from my brow to my knees.
Tryin' to stay warm while staring at the sun while living in a state that turns gray for months and freezes.
This Western healthcare system won't perscribe a single thing that'll finally put my body, mind, and spirit at ease.

But at least I can write this song,
At least music won't treat me wrong.
At least you can sing along,
At least if we know we were bound to drown,
we can learn to swim.

credits

from Igiene, track released June 29, 2019
Written and Performed by Maya Elena
Recorded with John Baillie at Brave New Media

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Maya Elena Minneapolis, Minnesota

Maya Elena is a songwriter and singer from MPLS, MN. Her music is lyrical, imaginative, and embracing. A hair of folk, a dash of jazz, a sprinkle of sass, this soulful songbird evades solitary description and time signatures when she's apart from her band, Illusion Valley. ... more

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