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

Hi Jenny, thanks for sharing. Wow you are blessed with so much talent. Please take care and stay safe.
koi and poi
a staple
a sleeping fish
in the cold