In: Anthology

Raw Sugar – Sihle Ntuli

 

plantations of KwaZulu,
sugar in the natural state
a source of sucrose.

 

the hands, rip cane from soil
teeth, sink under
succulent summer delicacy 

 

the unrefined blood of cane
mouth, drips,
the senses, sensual self-indulgence,

 

a taste of raw sugar

 

weakens, subsides, fades
the pleasure begins to die 
from the tongue.


Sihle Ntuli is a 29-year-old South African writer, born in Kwa-Mashu. Ntuli has had poetry published in Agbowo, New Coin and Saraba Magazine amongst others. He holds a masters degree in Classical Civilizations from Rhodes University in Makhanda. As a former lecturer at the University of the Free State, Ntuli is the current holder of the 2019 Innovation Award for Curriculum Design and Delivery.

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