Teesta Review: A
Journal of Poetry, Volume 8, Number 2. November 2025. ISSN: 2581-7094
Rule of Three
--- Olwanda Saphokazi Majozi
we are beasts watching beasts be fed
what say thee, saints of Tel Aviv,
of severed bone and children’s heads?
we live in times of broadcast dead
of oligarchs and ersatz teeth
we are beasts watching beasts be fed
the bots will verify each photospread
our trash tv and unearned shrieve
of severed bone and children’s heads
we try to touch where we have bled
we touch and pry and cry and thieve
we are beasts watching beasts be fed
you, mourning in your abbeystead
which nude emperor’s claims shall you
believe,
of severed bone and children’s heads?
in whose God’s name has this blood shed?
worldly wars will come in threes
we are beasts watching beasts be fed
of severed bone and children’s heads.
The Colour Jacaranda
--- Olwanda Saphokazi Majozi
You will know when the dog days are
looming
The blooms will tell you
In fragrant whispers
The sky will bleed a shade of purple
Hot and wet, the air will tremble
As though carrying something within itself
And the blooms will tell you:
The Earth is spinning too quickly to
exhale
There is no more time to gather your bones
To fit them together
The stars are figments, faraway
Pretending to touch each other
Pretending to be hungry, violent,
Alone, together,
Eternal, incensed, okay
But you can still touch me
And I you
The colour jacaranda can still
Rinse your lungs out and empty you
Do not look inwards, forwards,
Backwards
Look at one another
Interlace your fingers, kiss,
Brace
The Earth is spinning too quickly to
exhale
So—quickly—exhale.
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Bio:
Olwanda Saphokazi Majozi is a South African
poet and writer. Her work has been featured in Ons Klyntji and Poetry Potion.
In 2023, she placed 6th globally for Cambridge International AS
Level English Laguage. Her work explores identity, culture, and interpersonal
belonging. Her poetic influences include Warsan Shire, KolekaPutuma, and Ocean
Vuong.
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