Book excerpt: 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 Anne tonight everything speaks through the dead towards me your brittle bundle of bones my longestloved beloved lies lonely and longingly cradled somewhere lost and lean I am overwhelmingly awake tonight of me so little has become you are all I had in this world beloved deathling alone and cold it is behind my ribs Africa had me giving up all it is so dark it is so bleak soft beloved taunter of me so little has become I am down to my last skin