I’m building shells
on my beloved one’s hearts
hard laden steel sticks
crossed on their chest
shielding heartbreaks
I’m building filters
on their ears
I’m eliminating cruelty
from reach
sword words
and serpents’ hiss
I’m setting flames
on their mouths
candle tongues
burning in rage
crunching lightning
out of storms
I’m building shells from shells
for all stricken arrows
facing their doors
to bounce back in turmoil
Nkwana Joshua is a poet, born and raised outside Burgersfort, Limpopo. His writing revolves around social issues and daily hardships endured by the black community. He’s a former poetry student at Mzansi Poetry Academy.