Poem of the Day: “Back From Hades” by Carol Hamilton, Poet of the Month

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “Back From Hades” by Carol Hamilton, Poet of the Month.  Ms. Hamilton will also be serving as the guest judge for the Songs of Eretz Poetry Award Contest, which will run from September 1 to October 15, 2015.  A detailed biography of Ms. Hamilton may be found here:  http://eretzsongs.blogspot.com/2015/08/songs-of-eretz-poetry-review-poet-of.html.  The contest guidelines may be previewed here:  http://eretzsongs.blogspot.com/p/songs-of-eretz.html.

Back From Hades

Carol Hamilton

We’re waiting for the tomatoes

to ripen, talk of it long distance,

write of it.  His green globes

have whitened a bit,

paling at the rush necessary

to leap into that color of succulence.

I had a cherry ball all seed-and-juice

filled, red at last, for lunch yesterday,

moment of small celebration. 

How the sun awakens again

for just such events, and how we praise

summer for never yet forgetting.

Poet’s Notes:  This was probably inspired by the return of Persephone and the importance of seeds.  Luckily, there are always friends who share my enthusiasms.

Editor’s Note:  I enjoy the mythological inspiration behind this poem and the poet's use of color.  I would also point out that pomegranates are red, although not quite the same shade as tomatoes. “Back From Hades” was originally published in Tar River Review.