The Story of Persephone
Amongst a field of flowers, a young Persephone drifts.
Daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest
And of Zeus, ruler of the gods.
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Seeing the maiden from below the grave, a desire in Hades grows.
He stretches from his deathly throne with cold fingers,
His touch poisoning the roots of the blooming, golden-white narcissus.
–
As Persephone plucks the flower from the soil,
The ground opens up and he seizes her on the back of his chariot,
Carrying her down to the underworld as his queen.
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Plants wither and frost covers the land as Demeter neglects the earth.
As people begin to fall, they call to Zeus,
Forcing Hades to return their daughter to the living.
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Granting the goddess freedom, he presents her with a crimson pomegranate.
As its seeds pass her lips, she is forever bound,
For six months of each year, dwelling amongst the dead.
