THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.

Rainbow up there, why do I see?

Oh! Don't bother, a dream it must be!

Muffled screams, handcuffed hopes

Lekker memories splotched with concupiscent gropes!

Rainbow up there, why do I see?

Have the angels finally heard my plea?

Scarred and bruised, tattered and torn

Forever wondering, "Why was I even born?"

Rainbow up there, why do I see?

Someone must be playing naughty tricks on me!

Devoid of colors, my wretched life stinks

They must be right, addressing me as jinx!

Rainbow up there, why do I see?

A sanguine sign, perhaps? But no one will agree!

For rainbows are only for maidens chaste

Impious they call me for having satiated a devil's carnal taste!

Rainbow up there, why do I see?

Ah! Breaking the shackles, I'm finally free!

You can call me a whore, a scum

I no longer care, for my soul has sniffed the smell of freedom!