35

Persephone, Emerging from the Underworld

Nothing was changed…. Coffined in the dark cave,

alone…. A slightest glint of light that breaks

the thick stone of our forgetfulness makes

even shadows dear. And then we so crave

relief, terrorized by being alone,

we dance and whore with shades, pretending this

the loneliness assuaged. One glint drives us

to a ghastly waltz inside walls of stone.

Nothing is changed. Unless an earthquake come:

we meet then, discover we do not merge—

a betrayal so vast it kills all urge

to leave the cave. Or, perhaps, we may plumb

(mocked by the woken sun, stunned by despair)

what dark dissent blasts us to live blind

and crouch alone, sealed in that hell of mind.

But what god fiated we cower there?