Persephone

The holly has strewn her green

haphazard on the path

and what a bridal bloom it is

all gloss and dark with summer's shine

saved away beneath the sudden point

that raises to prick the careless foot

and draw forth its berry red

as triumph and tribute and right

for the winter is always hungry

and will steal what summer spun.

So let the eternal green bloom.

Winter's teeth are never still.

The leaves may swell from buds.

Winter never eats its fill.

Let the bride walk her way

and suffer the prick and sting

The red bloom may smother winter

and spring may come again.