O, Sensations

Rachel Alarcio

heart thumping

with the force

of a thousand

hummingbirds,

eyes wide like

the berth you give

a pariah, O

I am alive

Los Angeles-born Filipino-American poet Rachel Alarcio’s work has appeared in and is forthcoming in two award-winning WriteGirl anthologies, Exposition Review, Red Ogre Review, The Bitchin' Kitsch, at LAX’s Terminal 7-8, and elsewhere. They are a 2019 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Short Story Medalist. She is currently working towards her B.A. in English from Kalamazoo College. Her favorite foods include Brie cheese, adobo, barbecue, and arroz caldo. She also loves cats, despite being allergic to them. Find them @rachelalarcio on Twitter, @raechillout on Instagram, and at rachelalarcio.com.