A Prayer to Persephone
In case you missed it, here is my poem featured in Black Coffee Poetry's "TRAUMA DEN" post this past Wednesday. Enjoy!
Initially Published in Black Coffee Poetry’s TRAUMA DEN
Persephone, known to the Romans as Proserpina, exists between two realms: the warmth and new life of Spring and the silent stillness of Winter. Those who pray to her seek guidance in the harsh seasonal transitions. When Hades captured her and took her to the underworld, her mother, Demeter, mourned her absence with the coming of Winter. No life survives Demeter’s cold stare until Persephone returns once more.
To call upon Persephone is to embrace the transition from Spring to Summer, Fall to Winter, and back around again. She is the queen of life and death, the bloom and the decay. To understand her is to realize that every descent has a promise of return. In prayer, I ask Persephone for wisdom as we transition into a new season. I seek out Demeter for strength to endure loss. I call upon Hades in the hopes I may see beyond fear, despite the inevitable pain that comes with Winter’s return.
Persephone, daughter of Demeter,
Harbinger of frost, herald of sorrow.
Taken from this plane by a deceiver,
Bring me to your skin, Queen of the Hollow.
I ask, do you love him? Do you suffer?
Beneath the still Earth, roots twist around you.
Did you ignore the cries of your mother?
Did you know she would take all that dares bloom?
I have grown accustomed to the stillness,
I hear the barren fields whisper your name.
The tremblings of the earth in your absence,
A mother’s wail somewhere amongst the plain.
Let me wake when the Hydrangeas blossom,
Unfold my limbs in the golden spring air.
Teach me to climb til you fade with autumn,
Faced again with Demeter’s lonesome stare.
Absolutely gorgeous work. I feel as though works about Persephone usually favor Hades, and I much prefer the exploration of her relationship with Demeter. Thank you for sharing!
Perfectly suited to the mood of the day where I live.... nice writing.