I. Descent
Descent into the depths of sorrow borne
Upon the innocent Persephone
Her struggle into darkness, full forlorn,
The sadness of her deep resounding plea.
Beside the blackened ashes down she fell
Into the arms of Hades, strong and cold
She looked into her future citadel,
And wept her bitter tears in fears untold.
Persephone, the queen of mortals cursed,
Remembers well departing souls in pain
With unforgiving eyes she finds the first-
The wife of Orpheus, her newest gain.
As death approaches, Hades looks to win
Another heart from castigated sin.
II. Search
Eurydice, her wedding day destroyed,
In isolation teeming in the dark
She hears a sound – like music – in the void
Sweet Orpheus approaches toward his mark.
His voice and lyre charmed the Loyal Beast
Fierce Cerberus lay calm, his eyes dark pearls.
Impressed by mankind’s passion – lasting peace –
In tears the peers of Hades’ underworld.
Without a cause or vanity denied
From Hades, mercy flowed to Orpheus
To let his wife and love ascend with pride
As long as never he should lose his trust.
Persephone awaited suffering’s end
But could not from her ceaseless spirit lend.
III. Ascent
From out of darkness seek we to ascend
To join Eurydice along her way –
Such boundless joy and living without end
To see the shining stars and brilliant day.
Apollo’s daughter longing for the sun
As nearer to the portal both they climbed
From Music whence she came and, now undone,
Her Orpheus would lose his love, his rhyme.
Forever gone, her lover up thereof;
Or so Eurydice believed this lie
Until her Orpheus – her earthbound love –
The Maenads carved his infinite good-bye.
Her love secured, so smiled Eurydice,
And blindly cursed the living ecstasy.
About the Creator
Barb Dukeman
After 32 years of teaching high school English, I've started writing again and loving every minute of it. I enjoy bringing ideas to life and the concept of leaving behind a legacy.
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