To Demeter
by Hearthstone
Honored Demeter, mother of Persephone,
I praise you. Fair-haired bringer of bounty,
all growing things, sweet fruits and golden grains, are yours;
willingly you provide us what is most needful.
Kind though you are, when each year the harvest is done,
then, noble Demeter, is your power revealed.
As you mourn your beloved daughter’s departure,
the earth mourns with you, and all see what would soon be,
what would become of all life, great one, without you.
Without you would the fruitful land be barren.
Without your gifts would its people starve and perish.
O Demeter, mighty goddess, I honor you.
