Hades Puzzles Himself Over Persephone by Caitlin Johnson

The stench of ennui clings to her.

The parts of life that were hers have faded

from her sight. Now, she thinks

she has nothing: no mother, no home.

I burn her with my grasp, a hand

around her wrist to pull her back

into darkness when I find her straying

toward the light.

   I will not abide

by this runaway girl.

When I rose out of the Earth for her,

I bestowed a crown, made her my only queen.

Yet she sulks; she longs to take her leave.

She could have all my power if she would

intertwine her fingers with mine, whisper

my name and let it echo

through these halls.

              I have killed for her

                                                 and will slaughter a million more.

Caitlin Johnson is the Managing Editor of CAIRN: The St. Andrews Review. Additionally, she holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Lesley University.  Caitlin's work has appeared in All Things Girl, Black Mirror Magazine, Charlotte Viewpoint, Fortunates, Pembroke Magazine, Vagina: The Zine, and What the Fiction, among others.