the red underline by Meron Berhanu (Lucent Dreaming Issue 10)

I will never be written on a page,
my name, my language,
without the jagged red line.

I am not offended, nor alienated
I am alerted.

My name carried by this bloody undercurrent
Who is this you speak of, that you want to write about?

Really, I just think you’re curious,
my loyal Microsoft.

So I will empty this name, into the empty cracks of your code:
Meron. Meron. Meron. Meron. Meron.
my language, Amharic, Amharic, Amharic, Amharic.
my feet, Black,

will be swept by this stream
into the space where native
daughter and stranger
threaten to meet,

the space where
other brown-skinned
girls carry
their ancestors’ tooth,
surf the red waves,
say hello.

Buy issue 10 today.

Lucent Dreaming is an independent creative writing magazine publishing beautiful, imaginative and surreal short stories, poetry and artwork from emerging authors and artists worldwide. Subscribe to Lucent Dreaming now, support us on Patreon and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.