This Woman Revealed: Poetry By An African Woman

By Hannah H. Tarindwa

50 works of verse from one of the most exciting writers to emerge on the Zimbabwean literary landscape. Written over seven years, these poems pose a dynamic yet centred feminine voice that captures the audience of all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Belontos Books
• Release date: Nov 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519916587

Book preview

This Skin

In this skin is happiness,

She mixes and mingles with confidence

They dance and dine with self- respect

A wholeness that comes from life’s experiences

The tears come, no longer with embarrassment

The laughter roars unashamedly

Pleasure and pain give each other space and time

For they are me: They are within this skin

Once, it felt wrong to be me,

This one and that one decided what I was to be

It was not an easy feat;

Longing and trying to please

But no longer do I put them first.

I did it by putting up a ferocious fight.

And discovered with each trial, tribulation and mistake,

My best friend was not outside but within.

Regrets, wishes, hopes and dreams, tormented me

They came; some stayed, and most of them left

Yet here I stand ready to face the next stage of my life

My spirit was shaken but never broken

My skin is still soft, gentle, smooth and beautiful to touch

I live in this skin that is not be pain-proof

It has given me my