I am finally
building you a sheathe. come rest
under my tongue easy
after days of chiselling
breath into swords and freedom
Katleho Kano Shoro is a South African artist-scholar currently pursuing a PhD in anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of the poetry collection, Serurubele, and more of her poetry has been published in journals and anthologies both nationally and internationally (latest poem contributed to: Chants, Dreams and other Grammars of Love: a Gedenkschrift for Harry Garuba). Her writing practice includes short stories and essays (latest essay: Black Butterflies: Black Women’s Philosophies of Freedom). Shoro also undertakes editorial work (latest editorial project: The Constant Reader: Poetry Reviews by Poets in South Africa).