Litany to Persephone

Persephone of the new blossoms, companion

of the laughing nymphs, with whom you dance in flowered

fields, with whom you play at merry games. Goddess,

slim-ankled maid, fair and sweet as new spring blossoms,

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Persephone, bearer of golden sheafs, bearer

of the fruit of the tree, corn-maiden who dwells

beneath the earth, who rises with the pale green shoots

each spring. Child of Demeter whose gifts are great,

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Fair-haired Persephone, bride of noble Hades,

queen of the underworld, mindfully you tasted

the seed of the pomegranate, with love and care

you chose to bear that heavy crown. Persephone,

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Good Persephone who makes welcome the dead

in the golden halls of Hades, kind-hearted one

whose grace it is that comforts those who have passed

from our world into your dark and distant realm,

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Persephone, merciful maiden of the Mysteries,

friend of the happy dead who travel first to fair

Eleusis, who travel last to distant Elysion.

Rich-robed Persephone of ancient might, goddess,

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Reviews

[Angel]

Persephone, beautiful daughter of Demeter...who mourned for her when Hades took her into his dark realm. When I read her story, I thought it was terribly sad that she was forced to spend several months every year with Hades...besides, I hated winter.
But I do love this tribute to her. I especially love that first verse. Beautiful job!