Trans Poet Luka Erausquin Tackles Life’s Big Questions Through a Fish

Storytelling runs deep in Luka Erausquin’s bones. A transmasc poet and writer from New England, Luka first fell in love with the craft as a child, sitting on his Papaw’s lap, listening to the kind of stories that stay with you forever. Papaw set the bar high, and Luka has spent his life chasing that magic—determined to craft words that resonate just as deeply.

Since 2022, Luka has been pouring his voice into poetry, carving space for truth, resilience, and the raw honesty that comes with queerness. But his impact doesn’t stop at the page. By day, he works in the Human Services field in New Hampshire, offering care and advocacy for those who need it most. By night, he takes the mic as a fierce advocate for queer issues and mental health care, using poetry as both a personal outlet and a means of community building.

Luka is a community organizer for Slam Free or Die in Manchester, NH, a space where spoken word thrives and voices—especially queer voices—are amplified. He has featured at venues across New England, including Slam Free or Die, Port Veritas, the Dirty Gerund, and Outspoken Saturdays (GBH).

Luka with fellow poets and host Amanda Shea at GBH Boston.

At the heart of everything Luka does is a singular, lifelong dream: to make the world a better place. Whether through his writing, advocacy, or the communities he nurtures, he knows he’s making a dent. And if you’ve ever heard him perform, you know that dent is more like a ripple that spreads far and wide.

Enjoy his poem below, followed by a discussion around his writing process.

Icarus Is The Anglerfish

February 2025

Scientists saw a deep sea angler fish, jet black, twisted smile of gnarled teeth, approaching the surface. She lived miles beneath the waves, a creature of nightmare and horrors. A monster of the dark and the cold depths. She swam so purposefully, her mouth opened with some kind of awe. Defying all instinct she kept traveling up higher and higher and I am left wondering how many of her kind had ever come so close to touch the sun. The pressure, they said, would kill her. But oh, how warm it must have been when the light hit her face.

— Luka

1. Where were you when you wrote this poem?

I was in my living room. I think I was on a TikTok bender of videos about the anglerfish and just immediately went for it.

2. How long did this poem take you to write?

Only about fifteen minutes. My poems can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few months to write depending on how long they are and when the inspiration strikes, but as soon as I saw the fish I had everything I wanted to say about her.

Luka’s cute bathroom selfie

3. What does the fish represent for you?

For me that fish represented a lot of things. I think I've seen a lot of people talking about how anglerfish create their own light naturally, and how beautiful it was for her to swim to a light she didn't have to create. I think for me specifically, anglerfish have been portrayed all my life to be this dark scary monster, and here's this little tiny one who swam all the way to the surface, thousands of feet to go die there. I think like Icarus, a lot of us long to touch the sun even if we know it will destroy us. I think it's beautiful that that little fish got to do it.

“A lot of us long to touch the sun even if we know it will destroy us.”

Luka posing with his Big Gay tractor

4. Who are your biggest influences?

I would say my biggest influences are other slam poets, especially ones who are able to see something everyone else would brush off and are able to see something incredible in it. The first people to come to mind are Mica Rich, Sean Patrick Mulroy, and Maya Williams.

5. How long have you been writing poetry?

I've been writing poetry since high school but I've been pursuing it more seriously since I started coming to my local slam: Slam Free or Die in 2022.

6. What would you say to people who feel scared to try writing or sharing their first poem?

Write it anyway, even if its just for you, write the poem. You don't ever have to share anything you don't want to, but when you are ready, find people you can trust. There are kind communities of writers all over the place. There are writing clubs and workshops, and if you're open to feedback, I think that's one of the best ways to improve your work. I promise, your fellow poets are much nicer than your brain is telling you they are.

“I promise, your fellow poets are much nicer than your brain is telling you they are.”

7. Where can people follow you?

You can follow me on bluesky @lukaerausquin or TikTok and Instagram @atombombicarus.