An illustration of Maria Teresa Horta’s poem “A mon seul désir” in the book “A Dama e o Unicórnio”. 

“A mon seul désir” is a poem about female masturbation. In the wake of an heralded sexual revolution, there is still a stigma attached to female masturbation. A woman who is sexually liberated enough to please herself can be threatening to the male ego, and this might be the reason why this practice is taboo. It threatens to undo the thread that binds our patriarchal society together: the notion that women’s sexuality is something to be repressed.

The illustration portrays a voluptuous urban girl, squatting on a flower, a symbol for the female gonade. She is wearing Nike sneakers because their slogan is “just do it”. The plant behind her symbolises the rising pleasure inherent in her desire.