Sometimes it sneaks up on you
Sometimes more often than others
Late at night, crowded rooms, even when there are lots of people
It finds you
It likes you
When you are A
L
O
N
E
Even when there are lots of people
Who should shield you
But it’s very sneaky

And it grabs you from behind
And like a cruel dance
You’re spinning and turning and falling and floating
Out of control, an invisible partner
A trustless waltz

It doesn’t want you to see the light
It moves you too quickly
And sometimes it disappears, leaves you dizzy

But sometimes
It leaves you A
L
O
N
E
Just long enough
Whether or not there are lots of people
You don’t always need the shielding
Because you open your eyes
And look straight up
(that trick your friend taught you
in grade school
to stop being dizzy after running in circles)
and notice the trees
and the leaves that sway
and how the sky is never just blue
but a million colors, some without names
and that the people around you shield you
and shield themselves
and you do the same for them
and you keep each other safe
Sometimes if you’re lucky
The air is warm and sweet
Or crisp and fresh
And you breathe it into your lungs
And it starts to dance with you

And you’re spinning and twirling and falling and floating
But you know you’ll land on your feet
(Or at least laughing on the ground)
Because it’s your dance
And you can’t help but share it
With the world and the people around you because it’s beautiful
It’s free and gorgeous and breathtaking and awe-inspiring
Because awesome has lost it’s meaning
But maybe that’s how you’ll describe it
Because even when it’s not so great
(Cause it can be bewildering)
It’s magnificent
And you can’t live without it
And you hope you never forget it
Because for a second
It gives you the power to scare the bad away