queen of the shades

minnows wading beneath

the dance of the trees

lending a choir to the air as earthen creatures stir

but to catch a glimpse of she

their maiden of the shade, their spring breathing persephone

a narcissus sips from a nymph filled river bed

unable to resist the breath of its perfume,

she bows as its smile upon her spread

one selfish delight, she thought, to adorn her hair

reaching for its heavenly invitation, clutching its core,

but the earth it trembled, a prelude to a darkening lair

a stallion then arose, with rider crowned in shade

his moon-fed eyes reaching for her own

spilling of promise to immortal blooms

of a forest braided, never to fade

longing for the wonder, unafraid of what the gods would cast down

she took his hand, this god of the underworld

and became his queen, in shaded crown

in their descent, winter took hold

til this maiden, now queen of the shades returned in season anew

giving her breath to the forest turning it back to its gold

Emancipator/Natural Cause

-just breathe-

Listen to me read Queen of the Shades


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