Léna Verselle

A peek inside my wardrobe…

Black bikini, an evening in Bali

Here in Bali, I leave my phone away from the lounger and measure the evening in swims. The stone still feels warm under my feet, my black bikini never quite dries, and the jungle keeps up its lovely racket. I stay until the lanterns come on, drink in hand, quietly hoping this evening has a few more hours to spare.

Lena in a black bikini, barefoot on submerged pool steps, one hand on the railing, looking over her shoulder at the camera, with jungle behind. — I promise one last swim with my fingers crossed.

Lena kneeling barefoot with her back to the camera in a black bikini on a rattan lounger, facing the pool and jungle at dusk. — I bargain with nightfall for five more minutes.

Lena kneeling on a rattan lounger in a black bikini, back to the camera and arms raised, with the pool and palm trees beyond. — I give this long day an equally long stretch.

Lena lying on her stomach in a black bikini on a rattan lounger, feet raised and ankles crossed, beside the pool facing palm trees. — I let the rattan leave its little checkered souvenir.

Lena sitting sideways in a black bikini on the pool edge, lower legs in the water and head tilted upward, with jungle behind her. — I keep my feet cool, just in case.

Lena standing turned sideways in the pool in a black bikini, wet hair swept back, looking toward the camera beneath a twilight sky and palms. — I come back up with water in my ears.

Lena seen from behind in a black bikini in the infinity pool, arms extended across the water, facing jungle with a lounger in the foreground. — I let the insects do all the talking.

Lena sitting in a black bikini on the pool edge, feet in the water and hands together above her knees, with loungers and jungle behind. — I look for my towel without trying very hard.

Lena lying on her back in a black bikini on a rattan lounger, one knee raised and hands beside her hair, by the twilight pool. — I decide tomorrow’s empty schedule still looks too busy.

Lena standing with her back to the camera in a black bikini beside the pool, holding the top’s back tie and turning her head right. — I tie a double knot before my next dip.

Lena kneeling sideways on a rattan lounger, barefoot in a black bikini, mouth open, with the infinity pool and palm trees in the background. — I lose my composure at the first gecko call.

Lena standing barefoot on a rattan lounger with her back to the camera, black bikini and hands on hips, water droplets visible, facing the pool. — I dry about as quickly as my swimsuit does.

I set off for a towel and forget why.

Lena sitting cross-legged and barefoot in a black bikini on a rattan lounger, holding an orange drink with a straw and lime beside the pool. — I count melting ice cubes instead of checking the time.