Persephone’s Nightmare


There where the pennyroyal sprouted and wild mint
and the earth sent forth the first of her cyclamen
now villagers haggle for cement
and birds fall dead into the kiln.
 
    Sleep in the earth's embrace,
    Persephone,
    and never retrace
    your way to the world’s balcony.
 
There where the initiates joined hands
devoutly before entering the sanctuary
now tourists toss their cigarette ends
and they go to see the brand new refinery.
 
    Sleep in the earth's embrace,
    Persephone,
    and never retrace
    your way to the world’s balcony.
 
There where the sea became a blessing
and a benediction was in the rustic sheep’s bleat,
now to the shipyards trucks are hauling
empty shapes iron children and metal plate.
 
    Sleep in the earth's embrace,
    Persephone,
    and never retrace
    your way to the world’s balcony.

 

 

 

Clayton Lehmann, University of South Dakota, United States