Persephone

by David Appelbaum

and do you, Demeter
she’s about to walk
naked in the north wind
enrobed in might
surely Celestine
to underworld eyes

what will you bring
an eye to spy
with nectar and laurel
while they to Hypnos

now leaves wither
to hide your ash
and soon your howl
with the jackals

night bees swarm
unaware of menace