Francine Simon
Francine Simon was born in Durban in 1990 to Indian Catholic parents. Her poetry, which has been published in South African and international literary journals , such as New Contrast, New Coin, Aerodrome and Type/Cast, as well as three volumes of the Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award Anthology. She received the DALRO Poetry Prize in 2016. Her debut collection, Thungachi, was published in 2017 by uHlanga. Sharks A collection of love poems by, for and about sharks was published in 2019
She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a PhD in poetry from Stellenbosch University. Her debut collection Thungachi was published by uHlanga in 2017, as well as a chapbook, Shark, in 2019. Currently she lives in Italy.
https://openbookfestival.co.za/authors/francine-simon/
Second Skin (From Thungachi 2017 )
You are not good
enough if I cannot
take you
into my mouth
I am a man
who likes teeth
their brittle white
core sucking sounds
they call me Naga*
a bright green
light leads you to me
the rain so slightly wet
I charm fortune
from you with ant
tics and snow white feet
here they are inv_s _ble
I could be satisfied
by you if I swallowed
you whole and
fat chicken in
a baby’s mouth
I have hands but no nails
what would be the point?
*Naga [Nāga]: from Sanskrit; deity or entity in Hinduism and Buddhism; takes form of snake, specifically king cobra.
Churel*
I lie on my back Knees up
Hair strewn Hands join under my breasts
Breathing even and thick
My dot starts to change colour
Beaded fingers Cross disappearing
I am clear with words<
br> Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Amen.
My hair begins to form plaits that move
Nipples shrink Craving semen
Blood drips up to my clit Feet turn back
I let my legs open
Another voice speaks with my mouth
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit.
As it was at the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Iron nails cannot hold me back
nor mustard seed scattered to my grave
nor five parts cow You have burnt my body
carried me out the side door You let them break my knees
but I will always find my way back to my God
*Churel: an avenging female demon spirit/ shape-shifter that targets men.
Bibliography
2017. Thungachi uHlanga Press
2019. Sharks (A collection of love poems by, for and about sharks) uHlanga Press
https://openbookfestival.co.za/authors/francine-simon/
Second Skin (From Thungachi 2017 )
You are not good
enough if I cannot
take you
into my mouth
I am a man
who likes teeth
their brittle white
core sucking sounds
they call me Naga*
a bright green
light leads you to me
the rain so slightly wet
I charm fortune
from you with ant
tics and snow white feet
here they are inv_s _ble
I could be satisfied
by you if I swallowed
you whole and
fat chicken in
a baby’s mouth
I have hands but no nails
what would be the point?
*Naga [Nāga]: from Sanskrit; deity or entity in Hinduism and Buddhism; takes form of snake, specifically king cobra.
Churel*
I lie on my back Knees up
Hair strewn Hands join under my breasts
Breathing even and thick
My dot starts to change colour
Beaded fingers Cross disappearing
I am clear with words<
br> Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Amen.
My hair begins to form plaits that move
Nipples shrink Craving semen
Blood drips up to my clit Feet turn back
I let my legs open
Another voice speaks with my mouth
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit.
As it was at the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Iron nails cannot hold me back
nor mustard seed scattered to my grave
nor five parts cow You have burnt my body
carried me out the side door You let them break my knees
but I will always find my way back to my God
*Churel: an avenging female demon spirit/ shape-shifter that targets men.
Bibliography
2017. Thungachi uHlanga Press
2019. Sharks (A collection of love poems by, for and about sharks) uHlanga Press