A Firefly On A Conveyor Belt by Nkateko Masinga

[tabby title="Poet Bio"] I watch my past spin and spin, sickenedby my body’s blunt refusal to lunge at it. I lack the enthusiasm required to grabwhat is mine and admit that it is mine. Who, when meeting again what has...

A Firefly On The Witness Stand by Nkateko Masinga

[tabby title="Poet Bio"] He wanted someone to live with:an accomplice, a co-conspirator. I was there, too single and sinfulto resist. What was one more, tomy litany of trespasses? Surely I could add to my tally, then tellthe tale posthumously if...

A firefly at the communion table by Nkateko Masinga

[tabby title="Poet Bio"] I acknowledge that I am no martyrI falter through the Our FatherI remember clearly the cracked cadaverI dissected. The man had a name once. Then, only a tag on his foot—barcoded property of the institution I acknowledge...

A Firefly In Hell’s Crosshairs by Nkateko Masinga

[tabby title="Poet Bio"] I wish you were here to share: how you brawled with deathwhile she counted her coins,casually throwing glancesyour way as her tally rose. how you evacuated yourselfwhen you were the housedraped in crime scene tape;lady of the...

A Firefly With Angel Wings by Nkateko Masinga

[tabby title="Poet Bio"] swept up in the wonder of flight,as ignorant as Icarus must have beento wax and feathers’ inadequaciesagainst the sky’s fire-in-residence, I burned and fell. there was no shame in watchingmy makeshift wings melt — only the pain...