Of Demeter and Persephone

The leaves were lush once, years before
When mighty oaks from firm soil grew;
And buds of gold from branches sloped
To shimmer in the morning dew.

And Heaven’s keep was tinged by stars –
By scattered pearl or earthly gem;
And moonlight stitched the youth of time
Into night’s dress and in her hem.

As willows’ tears were yet unshed
But tumbled, plaited, in stark ponds;
And crystal lakes in shadowed glades
Reflected umbels and decked fronds.

With summer’s rose came autumn’s flair
And swept the seasons into one –
By ways of tune and fragrant curl
The rims of epoch came undone.

And in the sun she frisked of yore –
Still dancing by the guard of moon;
An ever-glow set on her limbs
And earth around her blossom-strewn.

Her hair was free to catch the winds
And eyes alight by starlit beam;
As twirling lithe the maiden came
By eye of eve or twilight dream.

A daughter born of earth and sea
Away was whisked one harvest fair;
Beyond her realm of sunshine-fields
To places wind-torn and wracked wear.

Yet where, oh grief, have seasons fled
To take the tinge from summer’s rose;
And leave sad echoes in their wake
Of frozen leaves and wintry woes.