Writers Space Africa-Rwanda
Literary Work of the Week Poetry

Miss Zorro’s Final Hearing | Gisèle Umurungi

Miss Zorro’s Final Hearing‘ was voted by members of the WSA-R community as Literary Work of the Week (July 15–21, 2024).

When light abandons the monarchy
As it leaves you with no choice, but to
Let your eyes, then your tail out of
The kennel, bless me with a paper
That survives a storm of fire.

What is it that matters to the leaf
If not a stem that connects it to the roots?
A cleaver?
A ribbon of fate that should have cut between a snake’s tooth and a woman’s heel?
I wonder

How did it feel when you cut off your right arm?
Or was it not even a palm but a dead end of a long nail?
Because the knife cut deep on my end
with every red drop echoing your name.
still, my wounds got even softer
And your vicious claws penetrated further.
Still, I wonder:

Do you find a hobby in smashing glasses
Simply because they are pale and fragile?
Or does it make you feel stronger than them?

Because where mirrors stand, less tinted
You’d make an empty cane with an ear-piercing noise, a fire curtain.
Or a loner who fears nightmares
Enough to burn a whole bedroom.


Follow the author on Instagram

You May Also Like

Two Poems – Grace Uwizeye

WSA-R

A Dance with Nostalgia – Gisele Ingabire

WSA-R

A Tale of Tears and Tender Touch – Gisele Ingabire

WSA-R

Leave a Comment