Zimbabwean poet Chioniso Tsikisayi has published her debut poetry collection titled Blood Joy through Carnelian Heart Publishing. The collection is now available in both paperback and hardback formats.
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Tsikisayi, a member of the Brittle Paper community, has been on a notable journey within the literary world, having participated in the inaugural Brittle Paper Literary Festival. Her work has been featured on the site since 2021, with her first appearance including the essay “Sesame Street: Musings of a 20 Something Year Old” and several poems. She was highlighted in a Brittle Paper Spotlight feature as an emerging writer to watch.
In subsequent years, Tsikisayi's poetry continued to gain recognition, with pieces like “I Am Growing Older but So Are the Trees” in 2022 and “Cease-Fire” in 2024. In 2025, Brittle Paper showcased her experimental short film Bureau De Change, which intertwines poetry and filmmaking. Blood Joy represents a significant milestone in her evolving body of work.
The title Blood Joy translates the Shona word Ropafadzo, meaning “blessing,” and the collection explores themes of joy as intertwined with family and national heritage. Through 112 pages of poetry, Tsikisayi navigates childhood, loss, love, and identity, presenting memory as an intrinsic element of the body’s experience. The collection reflects on various settings, including Bulawayo and Johannesburg, highlighting personal and collective histories.
Notable blurbs accompany the collection, with poet Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure describing it as “poems of lineage and longing,” while Tinashe Tafirenyika praises Tsikisayi's genius and technical skill, noting the vulnerability of her work.
The cover art for Blood Joy was created by Chitende Fine Art. The collection is currently available at Carnelian Heart Publishing and Barnes & Noble.