The whole world is swirling,
I’m unable to grasp
what’s happening.

My mind leaves the dreary wing.
I faintly hear the waves of murmurs
but it is all background music
in my mind.
My eyelids got unseen
in the darkness
as they crease shut.
The feeling in my gut
is best described as hummingbirds
flitting inside
My mind focuses
like the lenses of a camera.
I hear the exposed beats.
Quick and constant,
yet ever-changing.
I think of the rhythm,
the dependency
we have,
as performers,
and the purpose;
to keep us together.
I take a one concluding,
uninterrupted
and fulfilling
breath.
When the lights come up,
the sweat shimmering
on my skin,
and the music starts,
thumping in my ears,
I forget everything I thought,
and dance the dance
I know.

  -Bella Felaco

They Never See It Coming
The sun can rise,
shining above the green,
leafy treetops.
The birds will sing
across the brilliant blue sky.
You’ll wake up,
with a smile
as the light seeps
through your blinds.
It can rain,
a beautiful drizzle,
sidewalks glistening.
Grinning reflection
in a rippled puddle.
You frolic down the street,
murky water seeming to float
mid-air.
The tides can come in,
waves splashing against the smooth,
white sand.
Cool mist brushing your face.
Salt water whooshing,
sand squishing.
Everything is still,
for one moment.
The air holds
its breath.
Everything
is calm,
and you relax with it.
Then your world
jerks
from your polished hands.
The thread is unwinding,
strewn before you.
The wind’s blowing
debris in your face,
diverting you from what's
ahead.
Your neat stack of memories,
corners curling,
float
away.
It all changes,
and you didn’t
even
see it
coming.