Nats in Inya Lake

In our recent episode about the Burmese educational system, hosted by Saw Tar, we were treated to a splendid poetry reading by Maw Shein Win, from her collection “Storage Unit for the Spirit House.” Following is the written version of this poem that she read, titled Spirit House (six).

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the nats had moved into the house on Inya Lake

zoomed through halls with pocket knives, tamarind seeds, green bananas

family offerings of jade bracelets, cheroot cigars, deer tails

the medium danced wildly in the living room, drunk on palm wine, spinning, spinning

orchestra of circle drums & copper bells played on the staircase, nat pwe

eight children on the floorboards, leaping over uncles & cousins, shaking, shaking

mother lit candles on the wall shrine

she spoke to the blue winged insects           

they whispered back

auntie walked in a dream state           

hot room

cousin slowly opened a large trunk of teak & silver strips

the nats flew inside, one after the other after the other