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.