I am a convert to the religion of the tortured torso.
My cell is your chest; its heave, hues & heaviness
the triplet heavens I beckon for eternal residence.
My hymn book: your voice on dusky autumn days.
I reel you in with the history of my wounded wing:
I must admit I broke more parts than anyone else
& awkwardly collapsed at your throne, not thrown
but sent to you by cousins: choice, chance & cure.
I campaign for pupillage in your iris & ministry alike.
Help me hone the light that died in me before I died
on you. Rescue me from the resins of ruin and risk
& help me fly unburdened: a firefly in wing therapy.
Nkateko Masinga is an award-winning South African writer whose poetry has been translated into French, Bengali, Tamil, Kanada and Romanian. Her latest book, ‘Daughter Wound’, was published by UK publisher Hazel Press in April 2024 and was named ‘Book of the Week’ at the London Review Bookshop in the first week of its release.