A Shovel,A Gun;And A Name

By Xolani Shezzi

As is often the case in South Africa,a beautiful flower grows out of hard,dry ground.This volume,which arises out of the rough and dusty parts of KZN,has petals,colour,and sheen that will remain with you after reading it.

 

In this debut poetry collection,Shezzi deals with personal and public concerns.He harnesses free verse and unusual images,born out of his chequered and testing experiences,to convey what's in his heart,blood,bones and marrow.

 

At times the poems hold a somewhat charged conversation with someone from the spirit world.At other times still,one hears a weeping sound rising from the words.Infused with beats,sometimes they sing,as in the poem Five Birds On A Tree . 

 

Two doves singing 

A sparrow on mute 

Three Indian Mynahs oogling in awe 

 

The more interrogative poems--the ones that engage with a departed mother or the divine--begin with a feverant search for answers.In the end,the seeking character comes to his own conclusion : he must pivot from the qeustions and turn towards acting in the world with purpose and determination.

 

And thus,a key theme in the book is a personal struggle.One gets the sense that the writing of the poems is themselves a rebellion against passivity and a declaration to press ahead in the face of challenges.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xolani Shezzi
• Release date: Dec 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9780620930994

Xolani Shezzi

Xolani Shezzi is a highly aggressive creative.He believes in always striving to be the best.To forever try to attain greatness...being able to wake up in the morning is also an act of greatness. Xolani was recently chosen to participate in the Hustler Of The Year under the City Awards of eThekwini(Durban/KZN/ZAR).He has been interviewed by 88FM based in Ballito,Durban Metro,and by Durban Youth Radio.His work has been featured in Radio Dukuza,Radio KhweziVukaOnline Radio,Veterans Voice Radio;and UbuntuBeatsRadio. Xolani Shezzi has been featured by the following print media: 1. The Daily Vox  2. The North Coast Courier  3. The Stanger Weekly  4. Avbob Poetry 5. Botsotso  6. The Phoenix Sun  7. Briefly.co.za 8. The Kimberly Prospector  9. African Youth Journal  10. Hip Hop Hub (a sister magazine of SA Hip Hop Mag) 11. KZN Namuhla Community Newspaper  12. Explore ilembe Magazine  13. Word N Sound  14. Mwanaka Media and Publishing  Xolani Shezzi is a Poet/Lyricist.He also has a profound passion for composing music.He also has a knack for being a talent manager. Xolani Shezzi is from South Africa.He is from KZN.

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