Pomegranates
by Alexandra Cochon
Hades and Persephone Reimagined, set in Ancient Greece
he comes in the spring
when the sun is high,
and the sweet, overwhelming scent of flowers
tickles his nose.
she walks in awe
around the gardens,
entranced by the gifts of life
that the season brings.
hades doesn't notice her at first,
the girl with the big hair,
with an even bigger heart,
gently stroking the petals of a marigold.
persephone notices him immediately;
incongruous,
wearing dark, dark clothing amidst such a colorful place:
a black hole sucking life out of an entire universe.
he hears hesitant footsteps approach from behind,
as if the one approaching was afraid to startle him;
hades notices the floral scent intensify,
and turns around.
"I don't remember seeing you here before."
"It's my first time."
"Are you enjoying it?"
"Tremendously."
"Persephone."
"What?"
"My name is Persephone."
"I'm known as Hades in these parts."
"The feared god of the underworld."
"And you, the loved goddess of spring."
"Tell me, Hades, do you live up to your name?
Are you really as feared and ruthless as they say?
Do you enjoy making people suffer?"
"It's best to leave it up to your own judgment.
Tell me, Persephone, are you as deceitfully lovely as they say?
Do you know no mercy?"
Persephone grins:
something feral and unleashed hidden within.
"Perhaps you'll have to find out for yourself."
"Perhaps."
and with a deep bow, hades disappears---
pomegranate seeds left in his wake.
persephone cautiously approaches the fruit,
Enticed,
she takes six in her palm---
and then she eats.
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