Demeters Story

Oh, sisters dear, both young and old,

come gather round as my tale is told.
How fragile are the things we love,
were puppets of the Gods above.
My brother Zeus, that mighty King,
he used me as his own play thing;
he left me then to bear a child,
a maiden, beautiful and wild.
Persephone was, oh, so fair;
to see her grow was hard to bear.
I knew one day shed have to leave,
I knew the time would come to grieve.
Shed find a man to love some day
and he would take her home to stay.
Till then Id teach her at great length
to learn to find her inner strength.
Alas, the fates conspired a trick.
My child beheld narcissus to pick
and then the mighty earth broke ope -there stood Hades full of hope.
He grabbed my child and sped away
to where the night becomes the day
and though I searched both high and low,
I couldnt find out where theyd go.
(greek chorus of women)
Oh pain, Oh loss, Oh loving child,
What am I now? With grief Im wild.
The light of life is gone from me,
I search and look but cannot see.

2003 L.Duggan nicasiopress.com

At last, with aching heart, I pray.

Do you have news, dear Hecate?
She shares that she had heard a cry,
she knew not what, nor could say why.
We traveled fast to find the light,
the one who gives us inner sight,
the God of Sun, the truest source.
Hed help us out, hed guide our course.
Oh God of Sun, Oh God of Light,
I beg you now to see my plight.
Pray, tell me all that you might know.
To what far realm did my child go?
Oh blackest day, Oh darkest night,
What Helios said was just not right.
He told me Zeus arranged it all.
He said my tears were my downfall!
Then Zeus chimed in, Dont anger me.
The deed I did was right, you see.
Now get you gone, and smile as well.
What a great match thats made in Hell.
(greek chorus of women)
Oh Damn the lot, the God-like men.
They rape us then, they rape again.
First taking me and giving child,
then taking her to be defiled.
This must be stopped, I swore aloud.
We women must indeed be proud
to show our grief when grief is due,
to laugh, to love, be angry, too.

2003 L.Duggan nicasiopress.com

And so I caused the crops to fail,

I made the people moan and wail.
Dont cross a Goddess, I explained,
and finally, even Zeus was pained.
With great disgust, Zeus said to Hades,
It seems that weve upset the ladies.
Weve lost, old chap, just let her go,
if only so the crops will grow.
Of course, you know were really right,
Ive just decided not to fight.
Thus at last the men gave way,
for arrogance they had to pay.
Persephone could now come home,
no longer bound in hell to roam.
My child, youve grown, Ive missed you so.
Yet theres one thing I need to know.
Did you partake of Hades food?
I ate one seed, not to be rude.
I sighed. Well, lets forgive them all,
I dont intend to make them crawl.
No, just for men to learn whats true
That feelings must be honored too.
We women know through pain of birth
That life is not just wine and mirth
The men, the gods, the young and old
Can weep each time this tale is told.
God speed to you, the big and small,
and dont forget to stand up tall
Declare your right to be protected.
Stand up, dear women. Be Respected.

2003 L.Duggan nicasiopress.com