Persephone

[Rhapsody]

Written in response to a creative writing class my high-school freshman year (3 years ago). A retelling of the myth. Forgive the rough rhyming and lack of originality.

 

Demeter: Hades, take not my cherished child

for she is gentle and mild,

fearing cruel Tartarus, dark and vile.

 

Hades: True, the Underworld is dark

and to ease my life, lonely and stark,

I need Persephone, who sings like a lark.

 

Persephone: Lord, take me not as your bride,

for I love the sun too much to hide

beneath the earth, sir, I would die.

 

Hades: You fool me not, Persephone, my love.

Immortal are thee, my dove.

Stay and forget the world above.

 

Demeter: Daughter, cover thine ears.

Cry no tears, have no fears.

Thou shall come with me, my dear.

 

Hades: I think not, O Earth goddess.

She has tasted my food, six seeds, no less.

Persephone stays! I’ve won, you must confess.

 

Persephone: Mother, I’m sorry, but it’s true

Six pomegranate seeds of a lovely hue

My deepest regrets and boundless rue.

 

Demeter: Hades, I’ll not let this rest!

Let’s see if you pass Zeus’s test!

Our monarch shall decide what’s best!

 

Zeus: Demeter! Calm down, have a care.

Persephone is Hades’, won fair,

but I see your desperate state of affairs.

 

My offer, you must hear.

Persephone shall live in Hades’ realm for half a year.

During summer, she’s yours to rear.

 

Demeter: Very well, my king.

But Earth’s death bell shall ring

and your birds shan’t sing

 

while my child is away.

Night shall outlive day

and all flora will decay.

 

Your precious mankind shall not spared

from the seasonal massacre I’ve prepared.

Woe to you, who have dared

 

to deprive me of my joy and pride

for this eternal darkness, as Death’s bride.

But all Nature is on my side,

 

and my wrath shall not abate

‘til the blessed date

Persephone steps out of Death’s gate.

 

(to Persephone) though our separation is unbearably long,

Hope thrives when you return where you belong

and Earth blooms again with your sweet song.

Edited August 23, 2003 by Rhapsody

[Sorciere]

Wow, I can't think of anything else to say. Telling a story already established in another form and making it your own is so difficult and you accomplished it beautifully. One of the most wonderful things I have read in a long time.

[Parmenion]

This truly is a stroke of genius! What a really rewarding read!! It is a story I know very well and your telling of it in my opinion did it every justice. Bravo!

 

[Tattered]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Although this story is not your own, your talented rewrite is. Very well done. I can imagine this was a difficult task and you pulled it off with finess.