I acknowledge that I am no martyr
I falter through the Our Father
I remember clearly the cracked cadaver
I dissected. The man had a name
once. Then, only a tag on his foot—
barcoded property of the institution
I acknowledge that I am no hero
I threaten the throat of memory
with this admission: I almost died
in medical school. I had a name
too. Then, only debt and illness—
labelled property of the institution.
I acknowledge that I am no saint
I take the silver. I give the kisses
I flutter for a chance at living;
a firefly at the communion table
Nkateko Masinga is an award-winning South African writer whose poetry has been translated into French, Bengali and Tamil. Her next poetry book, ‘Daughter Wound’, will be published by Hazel Press in 2024.