Persephone Returns

Junco sirens pierce

thick sodden air.

Tapered shoots spring from damp soil,

forest green and scarlet streaked.

Dewy libation for wandering ants puddles

on blowsy coral blossoms, peony sweet.

Heavy, wet heads bow to the schnauzers

lazily loping along the path.

The flesh of the lonely parsley skeleton,

tucked in its terra cotta coffin,

fills the ebony jade-striped

caterpillars, fat and moist.

Blood red petal and ice orb carpet spreads

underfoot. Jagged limb akimbo, crushed

thatch and lumber below. Demeter’s pleasure,

all told, as fearsome as her grief.