love, burn gently
2018-2022
(ongoing)
love, burn gently focuses on moments of intimacy I cultivated between myself, the Earth, and the other humans in my life - present, but, mostly past.
Despite the tragedy and crisis of 2020, I fortified a bond between my body/mind and began to see my queerness as an aliveness. Thus, these images encapsulate a period of time that I am proud for; moments of growth (pain!), moments of reflection, moments where words aren't needed to fill the silence and where love has echoed between our bodies.
love, burn gently also explores the pain of disentangling my own life from that of another and the slow burn that follows. It is an homage to the learned ability to seek out compassion and connection while the fire still clears within my chest. It serves as my love letter to those who graced me by intimately connecting with and knowing them. It is my gratitude for the time and energy we shared.
[knowing some body, i once pleaded at a closed door because i saw it open once. Written February 13th, 2021 by R. Miller inserted at bottom of page. All images belong to Reilly A. Miller.]
untitled 001. 2020.
Silence. 2019.
Analyah on what seems like a Monday morning. 2020.
Portal. 2019.
Naked in Uithoorn. 2019.
Feed the Soul. 2020.
Josh's hands. 2018.
Bob looks at me. 2020.
Isaiah, blurred. 2019.
Wrong side. 2020.
Entanglement. 2020.
Keep me up until dawn. 2020.
Untitled 2. 2021.
Baby be simple. 2020.
Isaiah leaves. 2020.
Double exposure. 2020.
Analyah in Uithoorn. 2019.
Existing. 2020.
Pegasus in Texas. 2020.
knowing some body, i once pleaded at a closed door because i saw it open once
what does heartbreak mean to you? how are you loving yourself lately?
who is someone you’ve loved? how often do you miss them? let’s go eat something.
so, who’s voice soothes you? what sound soothes you? how do you soothe yourself? do you have a vice? vices? do you know your love language? how do you assert yourself?
can I touch you? can I touch you here? is this okay? does this feel good?
let’s cry. scream with me sleep with me bathe with me help me wash my back braid my hair tell me what you love about me tell me what scares you and I would hold you.
share yourself with me. share space with me. let me help hold your fears. can I know you inside?
I’ll come gently, shoes off, and ready
to know is to ask, to be known is to tell.