Marina has two kids. Ollie writes a children's book. This book includes a story about adoption of plants as a metaphor of queer parenting. Marina and Ollie’s lives have been intertwined since they met, Ollie started taking care of Marina’s kids, and they talked a lot about queer parenting. This topic is not widely discussed, and it is not very clear what it is and how queer parenting differs from regular parenting.

Once, Marina’s close friend manifested something important. She said that a parent should not be left alone with their children. If this happens, it is the responsibility of close friends to support them and take on some of the parental roles. She didn't just say it, she turned her manifesto into reality. She started to visit the kids when Marina was at work, spend time with them, walk with them, cook for them, buy groceries, and invite them to stay overnight. This is also queer parenting. In the performance the audience will be invited to care for shadow plants and share a responsibility with performers. Together we will sing a lullaby to the plants.

The story in the children’s book is about a meeting between flies and potted plants: “The fly called all their friends, but none of them knew what to do. So the fly decided to investigate the matter themself. They left their balcony, where they had lived peacefully for many years, and flew across Tallinn toward the scene. The fly could follow the smoke to find their way. But the closer they got, the harder it became to breathe and see through the thick smoke. The fly had to rely on their intuition — to fly forward blindly and feel their way through. When the fly finally arrived, they saw a huge building filled with potted plants, but the building was surrounded by flames. The plants were screaming from the heat: Help us! We can’t get out!”

We work with paper shadows and sound, and shadows here are reflections of our reality. When we look at our shadows we become visible. To be seen helps us. Shadows reveal our past and wounds, and while looking at them together, we heal, and grow. The sound here is an echo of our presence. Metronome is counting time and making our bodies in tune with slowness, the sounds of books bring us to the library as a safe space of silence and calmness, the songs of ANOHNI bring a layer of authenticity and closeness.

• I wonder if it is possible to really see another person. I would like to be that kind of person who can see others.
• I think, yes, seeing people makes them feel better.
• Do we see reality, or do we only see shadows of reality?
• I am thinking now about the lightness of the paper shadows. They are so light, and at the same time carry the weight of stories.
• I want to add a slow dance to the performance. I want to invite you to a slow dance.
• Slow dance is a bit intimidating for me, but we can try.