a collection of poems

sylvia plath

Dearest daughter steps lightly through soft beds of clover with spring in her step they say lilacs grow in her heart and narcissus in her eyes              and she is gentle              and He wants her. her Mother weeps in morning dew frosting over a dying Earth for she has been stolen and she was the flowers- so very pretty- “poor, poor child” echoes Mount Olympus.              and He has tricked her              and she ate the fruit Red seed drips from her lips like blood of those who are to join His haunting chorus, Mortals the Earth has long forgotten. And she is the only life He reigns over             and she must be scared             and Demeter misses her so Hades speaks to Her “What is it you want?” and our lovely child docile and dainty and oh so sweet speaks. “Respect.”            and the World does not hear            but He understands Persephone takes Her throne. breaking from ivy confines and Her beautiful rooted prison. She seizes Life in the dark world under- A skeletal pedestal on which She can stand Beside Her Beloved Equal.          And She Is Free.          And She Is Heard.