Down to My Last Skin: Poems

This is the first collection of Antjie Krog s poetry to appear in English, and it cements her reputation as one of South Africa s greatest poets. Down to My Last Skin is her poetic exploration of her different identities, the layers that make the human condition so intricate, fragile and yet resilient.The collection is divided into seven clear sections which explore layers in Krog s life, and those in every individual.Down to My Last Skin was the inaugural winner of the FNB Vita Poetry Award in 2000. From Down to My Last Skin, p80(n) neither family nor friends says Lady Annetonight everything speaks through the dead towards meyour brittle bundle of bonesmy longestloved belovedlies lonely and longingly cradled somewhere lostand leanI am overwhelmingly awake tonightof me so little has becomeyou are all I had in this worldbeloved deathlingalone and cold it is behind my ribsAfrica had me giving up allit is so darkit is so bleaksoft beloved taunterof me so little has becomeI am downto my last skin"