Things You Need to Know

"I asked him for it.
For the blood, the rust,
for the sin.
I didn't want the pearls other girls talked about,
or the fine marble of palaces, or even the roses in the mouth of servants.
I wanted pomegranates--
I wanted darkness
I want him.
So I grabbed my king and ran away
to the land of death,
where I reigned, and people whispered
that I'd been dragged.
I'll tell you I've changed. I'll tell you,
the red on my lips isn't wine.
I hope you've heard of horns,
but that isn't half of it. Out of an entire kingdom,
he kneels only to me,
calls me Queen, calls me Mercy.
Mama, Mama, I hope you get this.
Know the bed is warm and our hearts are cold,
know never have I been better
than when I am here.
Do not send flowers,
we'll throw in the river.
'Flowers are for the dead' --'least that's what
the mortals say.
I'll come back when he bores me,
but Mama,
not today."
--Daniella Michallen, "Persephone Speaks."

The kidnapping of Persephone retold in which Hades didn't kidnap Persephone, but she fell into the Underworld and became Hades' queen.