Pluto and Proserpina: A Season in Hell

When I was just a little girl, I went out to play;
My mother told me, "Don't go far, for it will rain today."
My goddess Mother Ceres, grower of world grain
Was planting all her seeds before the coming rain.

My mother kept her eyes on me every day and night,
Any time I went to play, I stayed within her sight.
I saw a field of pretty flowers beneath a chestnut tree,
I went to pick a few of them for my mom and me.

When I tried to reach the field, it seemed so far away
I just kept getting closer...I didn't mean to stray.
Then I saw a flower...so lovely, big and bright
It looked as if it had an inner glowing light.

As soon as I reached for it, it seemed to pull away,
I needed it as centerpiece for my big bright bouquet.
I plucked the flower by its roots and pulled it from the ground,
And at that very moment, I heard a rumbling sound.

>From where I pulled the flower's roots, the earth then opened wide
And from this great big gaping hole eight horses were inside.
I stood there in growing fear at this stunning sight
I dropped the flowers where I stood, trembling now in fright.

The team of horses, snorting steam, were shiny, black and bold,
Behind them was a splendid carriage, constructed of pure gold,
And guiding this great team, there sat a scowling stranger.
I knew that I should run away...I knew I was in danger.

"Come here, my child," the stranger said, in deep and scary voice,
I turned to run, but my feet froze, escape was not a choice.
The stranger stepped onto the ground and said, "Don't be afraid,
"I will take good care of you, my pretty little maid."

He whipped his team, they snorted and drove back underground,
And after what seemed years to me, I learned where we were bound:
This stranger's name was Pluto, the Keeper of the Dead,
He lived in his dark palace, which filled my heart with dread.

My mother Ceres, grain goddess, was heartbroken and weeping,
She said, "I'll never grow the grains, and I will not be sleeping
"I'll comb the earth and Heaven too, to find my dearest child,
"My dearest Proserpina, ...for Pluto she's beguiled.

Pluto gave me pearls and gold, and all his precious ore,
For this King of Hades rules the Underworld...and more,
He rules dead souls eternally, those who were sent to Hell
And though I was not happy, he treated me quite well.

He gave me a gold footstool to sit beneath his feet
And he worried all the time because I would not eat,
I told him that the only food that I'd ever eat again
Was food my mother planted, that day before the rain

He sent his faithful messenger to find some earth-grown seeds,
But cold winter had killed the grain, and only left the weeds.
He came back with a pomegranate, but six seeds were only
The food that touched my lips, because I was so lonely.

Then to my great sorrow, because six seeds I ate
I'd have to spend six months in Hell, alas! it was too late.
Soon Pluto let me go, back to my home on earth,
Back to my Mother Ceres, who'd given me my birth.

Now I spend six months a year, with Pluto...gloomy King,
And when I'm gone all planting stops, until return of Spring,
Then when I come home again, my mother plants the grain
And all the world rejoices, because I'm home again.

So when cold Winter comes and covers earth with snow,
Mother Ceres mourns for me, although she now does know
That dear King Pluto loves me and takes good care of me
And though he's sad when I leave, he always sets me free.

Yes, I'm the Queen of Hades, six months of the year
And Pluto is the King, who's now become quite dear;
Although he's dark and gloomy, I've filled his days with light--
In Winter it's not cold in Hell, for Love has made it bright.

Sylvia Honig