POETRY BY ANAHI CABRERA LUCIANO

Dissociation

I just painted my walls.

I was excited. The walls needed a touch-up.

It took me hours to paint.

They were supposed to be white, but now they are coppery. It’s a shame.

At least a white wall can be decorated with other colors.

But copper doesn’t go well with other colors.

Should I buy more white paint to cover where the mess got on? Yeah, I really should.

Remind me to get bleach—my shirt got stained too.

Should I buy other cleaning supplies?

I probably should.

I have to do more house cleaning.

What a shame.

Oh—don’t worry about the hammer, it’s broken. I don’t need it anymore.

I do need plastic bags though.

And some air freshener.

The smell of copper is getting too strong.

Anahi Cabrera Luciano (they/them) was born in a small village in Mexico and currently resides in Texas. She is fascinated with learning languages, writing, and voice acting, drawing inspiration from her upbringing and the struggles her parents went through in order for her to be who she is now.