I’m excited to participate in the Fall Writing Frenzy Contest again this year. Thanks to Lydia, Kaitlyn and Ameera for hosting. If you’d like to join or read the entries, here’s the link!
Persephone Rises (YA)
Tonight is the night.
Ch-chills shake my bones.
The veil between the living and the dead grows thin
as the sickle-shaped moon shows me my truth.
Spirits pass inside shadows unseen.
They’ll stop at nothing to return me to my prison.
At fourteen everything was taken from me…
my home, my free will, my pride.
Even my own father stole my innocence.
Taken against my wishes.
Six crimson seeds, laden with deception,
were all I took for myself.
There used to be a time
when I glided barefoot through cool meadows,
soft petals blooming from my footprints.
But now, no balm can soothe these hell-scorched feet.
My mother sleeps, wasted from a long day’s harvest.
She works so hard to maintain my custody.
When she first lost me, she raged at everything.
Her barter with the tempest held back the rain.
Drought brought death to nature’s bounty.
She commanded locusts to devour whatever remained.
Her blood is my blood.
I gently draw the scythe from her hand.
What cuts wheat also cuts flesh.
Nothing can be done to me
that has not already been done.
A victim no more.
Tonight is the night
I stand strong and fight.
Bonnie Kelso 
Powerful retelling! Loved this turn-of-phrase especially: “no balm can soothe these hell-scorched feet.” Strong YA voice here.
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Thanks, Carrie! I always wanted to try YA. This contest gave me the perfect opportunity.
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I love how you used Persephone and Mother Nature in this telling tale. Wonderful!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Very evocative! Nice job, Bonnie!
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Thank you! 🙂
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I love your vivid descriptions, but “Her blood is my blood” really brought it all together for me. Great job!
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Oh good! Thanks for reading, Katie!
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Oh Bonnie, this is a really amazing piece. So many quote-worthy passages: What cuts wheat also cuts flesh–But now, no balm can soothe these hell-scorched feet. I’d wish you good luck, but you don’t need it. Bravo!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Wow! Great job with the emotions in this powerful story!
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Thank you, Melissa. 🙂
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I love the story of Persephone, and this is a really interesting take on it!
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I know, right? Poor girl. I wanted to empower her somehow.
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A great piece! Love the title.
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Thanks, Erika! 🙂
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So lyrical and powerful! Well done, Bonnie!
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Thanks, Jill! 🙂
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This is powerful and haunting. That last line is excellent too. Good luck in FF!
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Thanks, Sarah! 🙂
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So many powerful emotions. I’m drawn in more and more each time I read it. Well done!
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Thank you, Armineh! 🙂
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Loved the imagery here! Well done 😁
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Thank you! 🙂
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Wow, that was really powerful.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Wow that was powerful!
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Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading.
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Thanks for reading, Sarah! 🙂
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I love the dip into YA!
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Thanks, Amy! Me, too.
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So haunting and powerful! Well done!
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Thank you, Karen! 🙂
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