the gong clock is ringing tonight
I know this no better
than any other sound,
I know this calling
a calling of tears
to my village.
my eyes conjoin into streams
beneath my nose
streams of dry bones
and bleeding shoulders
heaving another soul to let go
this time I mourn
but not to be found in the morning –
mourning,
this time I let go of the world
by drowning
in every tear, I drop
I count my body parts
into names of who is around me
by any chance I lose my fingers
at first count
or second count
I know every tear shed
is a cry for every face I’ve lost
in person
or through a haunted dream.
Nkwana Joshua Serutle is a writer, spoken word poet and fine art artist, who was born and raised outside Burgersfort, Limpopo. In 2017 he joined Mzansi Poetry Academy to enhance his writing skill. His work
draws much attention on the streets and shifting paradigms on social issues. Some of his highlights in 2017 includes performing at SABC 1, Yo TV. Later on that year he became Top 10 finalist for Leleme La Mme poetry competition. He won the CSP 2018 Open Slam King of the Mic. His poems had been published on Poetry Potion online magazine, Odd Magazine and Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Anthology Vol 8.