Title art by L.H. Grey

Listen to Hades Has Arisen by Richard Charles Stevens (Persephone’s Suite)

Listen to Persephone’s Song by Gabrielle Roth

As Persephone kneeled by the river bank to

pick the fresh lilies

her reflection

startled her

is this what i have become

is this my calling
and if so

then why do i feel like i’m falling

her cause for stalling on this day was simple
was good reason why her eyes declined twinkle

as the garden she had known
may have been

fully grown

but the fire in her soul failed to kindle

suddenly Spring turned to Fall

crisp leaves began to wither
and tumble

and the deadliest nightshade caused this maiden to stumble

no caress in these petals

just a bed of sharp nettles

stinging chants to her ears

as they danced with her fears

there were

jeers

as the truth of her plight became clear

every one of these truths

insincere

close those beautiful eyes
and rest dear

when you come to
we shall be back in bloom

as each lie unfurled
these rosebuds became ashen

and as their lips curled
she discerned there were teeth regimentally fashioned

each was a

dagger

lining up to defile her and

stab her

and with this
Persephone staggered

though her head became light
both her fists were clenched tight

as this floral goddess
was no

mute acolyte

dictation ungranted
veneration commanded

by the sceptre she wielded
sheaf of grain she had yielded

the crops had now perished
leaving nothing to cherish

and Persephones skin
was no longer unblemished

come and take them

was her cry

as she

commenced

downward

flight

the descent was a brisk one

each twist spinning her further from the garden

to a kingdom where not a single living thing could grow
or a solitary seed could be sewn

but just as she braced for the shatter

a bed of pale white lilies broke her fall

it was

Hades

who answered her call

through birthright he marshaled this realm
but his presence did not overwhelm

as Persephone bled
each abrasion he kissed

she took comfort from the dust and the scratch of his lips

then it dawned

this was no mere abduction

he had come to his Queen on her own sweet instruction

thus the little-big heart beating wildly within

drank him in and then ceased its reduction

but how could she

grow

to love him

one eclipsed by such darkness

such a tryst could result
in rending her heartless

then just as it seemed she was set for the dither
Persephone smiled and replied

my darling, every flower on your tainted earth withers

and as I take my seat on the throne

theres a crown made for the immortal flowers in my bones

so you see

vile serpents

there’s no gain to be gleaned from your bane

you’d really do well to abstain

she was done with their plague
with these smiling assassins

and so was her King
as their twin blades were matching

ivy veins were entwining
redesigned
redefining

fire and the ice in their souls

no longer

confining

Lovers gladly undone
who had bled into one

and O, how the angels wept
their tears of deep red pitter pattered

spattered

not that this mattered

they needed not the blessing of gods on this day

just a casket within which to play

lined in finest grey velvet

sanctuary to decay

a tomb to arise from

as a fierce flaming phoenix

gliding higher than the heavens

as it swooped

down to hell

bird of prey to adore

to carry through flight evermore

and with that

Persephone soared

Richard Charles Stevens

Keeper of The Crimson Quill

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