2 Poems - 'Interview With a Butterfly' & 'Home' - By Esha Srivastava

Written By: Esha Srivastava

Category: Poems (2)

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Esha Srivastava graces the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with her poignant entries, "Interview With a Butterfly" and "Home." These poems delve into themes of identity and belonging, inviting readers into a world of introspection and curiosity. As a participant in this esteemed competition, Esha's works stand out for their depth and lyrical beauty, offering a unique perspective on life's intricate questions.

About the Work

"Interview With a Butterfly" captivates with its exploration of identity through the lens of nature. Esha's lyrical narration probes deep existential questions, creating a tapestry of vivid imagery and thoughtful reflection. Meanwhile, "Home" contemplates the meaning of belonging, weaving a narrative that resonates with those who have ever felt adrift. Together, these poems offer a profound meditation on the human experience.

2 Poems - 'Interview With a Butterfly' & 'Home'

Original Submission by Esha Srivastava

Esha Srivastava - Entries - 2 Poems

1. An Interview With A Butterfly

Those Rorschach blots you flaunt, deceptively play with the outlines of perception Are they meant to help you blend in, or stand out?

Was tiger fur your majestic abode in the days of yore?

Or did you just fancy a dollop of its blood?

Do you take after your namesake in more ways than one?

(Who are you?)

These things that I'll never know, keep me up at night

Those wings must have a tale of their own

For they haven't acquired that beauty overnight

Do you remember your days prior?

When a worm you were, tinier, vulnerable

Or is it an entirely new leaf that you've turned?

An awakening of sorts? Or have you just befriended Lucifer?

(Who were you?)

These things that I'll never know, keep me up at night

Solo travails are your thing, aren't they? Rather prudent, no dead wood to carry, more time to yourself, for musings, general wonderments and enquiries Do you still experience existential crises?

Do you not feel lonesome every now and then?

What is your coping mechanism?

(Where do you go?)

These things that I'll never know, keep me up at night

Where do those colours come from? My palette refuses to acknowledge these hues, however much I mix and dab

Do you have a contract with the setting sun? Or are you a 'morning person'? They say you do not dream. Can't. Do you though? With your eyes open? (What do you see?)

These things that I'll never know, keep me up at night

I'm certain you're aware of how beautiful you are!

Has your beauty gotten to your head? Is vanity the reason you die so young? Or did you not know that? (My bad)

Maybe you're the ugliest one in the clan? The one nobody cares much about Are you popular amongst your own? A natural or a con-artist?

Do you save the sweetest nectar for your beloved? Or are you a manifestation of the selfish gene?

(What/Who do you love?)

These things that I'll never know, keep me up at night

What makes you choose the flowers you choose?

Do you like easy game or are you an addict of pursuit? Are there standards for promiscuity that you much prefer?

Does the openness of petals suggest elixir-like ecstasy?

Surely the ones you flirt with seem fairly flattered

Or are they being bullied into submission?

Either way your charms are something to behold

But I get the sense that you're well aware of that

(How do you love?)

You see, I do know a lot of things, but a million others that I don't, keep me up at night

You eye of the tiger, you beautiful thing! There's no extent to the objectification of your beauty...the theorisation of your existence

I'll praise you all you want, I'll follow you around too

But you must show me things..

Tell me who you are?

How you love?

Where you go?

What you see?

Tell me all, do..

Oh pretty please!

2. Home

Must it be the land I was born in?

Could it be the land that has a piece of my heart?

Does it await my arrival in some far-away place?

The road to where still appears bleak and dark

Can it only exist amidst my own?

Or is it forever lost in those I've left behind?

Maybe it's only found within the journey by some

Not the destinations or the shiny finds

So where is this 'Home'? I wonder..

What even is Home, I ask...Hopes torn asunder..

As I take a giant step back, retreating into myself

Ruffling some feathers, rummaging old shelves

A beating thud reverberates and crescendos..

"I am in here! It is me!! It is thyself!!!"

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary creativity, offering writers a platform to share their voices with the world. This competition invites participants to explore diverse themes and styles, fostering a vibrant community of poets and writers. Each entry enriches the tapestry of contemporary literature, contributing to a dynamic exchange of ideas and artistic expression.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Esha Srivastava for her insightful contributions to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her poems, "Interview With a Butterfly" and "Home," invite readers on a journey of introspection and wonder. Thank you, Esha, for sharing your unique voice and enriching the literary landscape with your profound reflections.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.