Butterfly Quote by George Elliott Clarke
““A rural Venus, Selah rises from the gold foliage of the Sixhiboux River, sweeps petals of water from her skin. At once, clouds begin to sob for such beauty. Clothing drops like leaves. "No one makes poetry,my Mme. Butterfly, my Carmen, in Whylah,” I whisper. She smiles: “We’ll shape it with our souls.” Desire illuminates the dark manuscript of our skin with beetles and butterflies. After the lightning and rain has ceased, after the lightning and rain of lovemaking has ceased, Selah will dive again into the sunflower-open river.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Untitled, by George Elliott Clarke, 2023
The poem portrays Selah as a mystical muse whose beauty and desire inspire artistic creation, yet she remains elusive.
In simple terms: Beauty and desire spark creativity but are fleeting.
Key Takeaway
Embrace inspiration while accepting its transience.
Themes
beauty
creativity
desire
transience
spirituality
Mood
lyantic
introspective
Type
poetry
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- painting
- music composition
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
mythic archetype
artistic muse
sensory imagery
Questions to Reflect On
- How does desire shape your art?
- What rituals ground you after creative storms?
A Different Perspective
Inspiration can be overwhelming and destabilizing.
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