reflectivemusic

[reflectivemusic]

BORDERS (2023) - Alexandra Streliski

“I think I had never been as aware at how our rights can vanish in one instant… and how different it is to have one passport over another.�� - Streliski

“I’m at the border”, I spoke in the phone. I’ve been here 3 times now, but still feel as anxious as I did the first time. Only one car left ahead of me.

While I sat, I thought borders was an interesting thing because there are no borders at all. The roads still feel the same 5 miles ago and will still feel the same 5 km ahead.

I pass the post stop in relief. Before I could reach for my phone, I saw a camel walking in the side. I smiled. Animals know no such borders.

[reflectivemusic]

Nemo Egg (2003) - Thomas Newman

“Just keep swimming.” - Dory

Nature has a funny way of surprising us. It tears us down. It builds us up. Its very unpredictability is what gives us gratitude.

I wonder if it’s how my fish felt when I bought it from a store. In a week, it grew half its size. So I bought a bigger bowl. But after another, it grew the size of my hand.

“You just keep growing, don’t you little guy?” It didn’t answer, but its eyes stayed with mine. The next day, I found an ocean. It left without looking back.

[reflectivemusic]

Silence (2019) - TWO LANES

“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” - Francis Bacon

In the morning, I hear the birds hum my name. By noon, I drift into a nap for the second time. By late night, I read a book under a yellow light.

In the chaos, these habits are my silence. When my friend asked, I told her that silence is my absence of noise.

This world is far too noisy for a dancer like me. Ironic. I dance to the beat of no sound. But I dance to emotions. And that, I have plenty.

[reflectivemusic]

The Streets of Belgrade (2019) - Infinity Ripple

“Belgrade is not really a city. It’s a metaphor, a way of life, a perspective on things.” - Momo Kapor

I stood out in the doorstep with my hand on the knob. I took a deep breathe. On the twist, I saw a tiny snowflake resting on top of my glove.

When I turned around, the streets of Belgrade were floating in snow. A neighbor just moved in. I thought, who moves out in the winter season?

I did, once. We exchanged glances and I wondered if he felt foreign or if he felt home in the streets of Belgrade: my home.