My Green Skin

What is it like, To be perfectly pale Like a glimmering pearl And the world is your oyster?

What is it like, To have a hand to hold When you’re scared That the world is unkind?

What is it like, To have parents that tell you How lovely you are And how proud you make them?

It must be nice to be loved, To be accepted without any Hesitation or reservation; No one would ever dare question your integrity.

It must be nice to be privileged, To be granted opportunities

When your name dances on their tongue And mine is swallowed without another thought.

It must be nice to have dreams, That sing you safely to sleep

When my dreams are drowned By a siren’s unforgiving call.

I wish I were you.

I wish I could see the sun the way you do. I wish the moon shined for me. I wish my name could hang amongst the stars.

I long for silent midnights And warm family dinners With lively music where I am free to dance.

Despite my icy facade, My skin blazes with envy

Because I will never be able to feel Like I could fly.

When will the world stop for me too? When will I get to breathe

ART by SANA GUPTA WORDS by CRYSTAL LU

Everything that is mundane for you? Will I be happy then? x

Incite Magazine

volume 25, issue 1 “glitch”

Published February 2023 incitemagazine.ca issuu.com/incite-magazine facebook.com/incitemagazine

Incite Magazine is McMaster University’s creative arts and writing publication. We aim to unite a community of creatives by promoting self-expression, collaboration, and dialogue within our university campus and the city of Hamilton. Every aspect of Incite’s writing, graphics, multimedia, and event production is carried out by our wonderful student volunteers. If you would like to get involved, feel free to get in touch by emailing incitemagazine@gmail.com.

@incitemagazine editor in chief (content): Gillian Hodge editor in chief (arts and production): Sandy Luu layout director:

Naiha Ali treasurer:

Tirath Kaur communications director:

Sana Gupta content editors:

Alan Minkovic, Aliyah Sumar, Anna Samson, Aribah

Ali, Hooriya Masood, Misaal Mehboob, Noah Yang, Sarah Sadafi, Sowmithree Ragothaman, Yumna

Ahmad art managers:

Ayeesha Umair, Mahek Marker, Mara Li, Theodora

Oyinloye layout editors:

Aditya Kalra, Bohmee Kim, Emelia Da Silva cover art:

Growth by Sana Gupta

Untitled by Naiha Ali contributors:

(Content): Aaryaman Anand, Alan Minkovich, Alexandra Rydlewski, Aliyah Sumar, Anastasia Arps, Anna Samson, Anne Llanora, Crystal Lu, Dora Xu, Elizabeth Zhou, Gillian Hodge, Manal Effendi, Mara Li, Maxx Kaufman, Maya Khodr-Ali, Natalia Laxamana, Nika Elmi, Roya Motazedian, Ruth Moon Lopez, Simi Jayeoba, Sowmithree Ragothaman, Yumna Ahmad, (Artists): Ayat Atif, Cate Woodhead, Emmanuel Aduwari, Haleema Yousuf, Helen Le, Mahek Marker, Mara Li, Maya Khodr Ali, Melinda Meleki, Michael Thach, Michelle Nicol, Nicolette Kuzma, Rachel Oseida, Sana Gupta, Sandy Luu, Tirath Kaur, Zareefa Bhatia