The themes in this poem are of power, desire, lust, and the blur between divinity and mortality. The inspiration for this poem stems from my curiosity with Burmese folklore and Myanmar rituals, particularly the concept of ‘Nat’ spirits.

The image of a butterfly, often associated with fragility and beauty, is juxtaposed against the power of owning your sexuality. I wanted to explore the idea of a being, a ‘Nat’ in my own interpretation, that embraces both these contrasting elements.

My favorite line is 

“The gods are plucking the lyre,

                                          with their bemired hands.”

It reflects my view that gods, often in stories, commit horrors for a perceived ‘greater good.’ Their hands are ‘bemired’ because they justify destruction. There’s a sense of self righteousness with them. They allow free will, so as the Nat dances, they play on, some judging, some entertained, some knowing what’s to come, yet they play on.

The central idea is the transformation of the ‘little butterfly’ into a divine being, a Nat, who revels in power and pleasure. The lines ‘possession becomes you’ and ‘throne of erections’ explore the idea of absolute control and the unbridled pursuit of desire.

The closing lines, ‘bittersweet little butterfly,’ highlight the complex nature of this divinity, a being who embodies both beauty and destruction, pleasure and sacrifice.

You can view her website and other publications at gabriellev.art

Read Gabrielle Vs Poem in Butterflies Anthology Available on Amazon