Demeter     Beside Herself
By Naomi Ruth Lowinsky

I’ve been thrown out of orbit
spilled out of holy grail
My used-to-be darling daughter’s     gone off
                                                             like a siren

If Hades had grabbed her     you’d see me
sitting on a rock     refusing you
flowers     refusing you the fruit of the vine
                                                ‘til she’s returned to me

If Krishna had swept her away
in the fragrant night     I’d remember
the Gopi girl I used to be
                                         and wish her joy

But she’s off becoming
someone I’ve never been     after yelling at me
that my endless rounds     lovers babies grandbabies
                                                               are totally suffocating

She wants power     she wants digital devices
She wants electricity all night long
Is there an underworld
                                          in virtual space?

What’s the sun to do     or the moon
if round and round is out
of fashion?     And me? There is no rock can hold
                                                                                     my fury

My used-to-be darling daughter
is riding a rocket to Mars     You’ll know me
as fire on the mountain     You’ll know me
                                                                                     storming your beaches

for I’ve been thrown out of orbit
spilled out of holy grail
My used-to-be darling daughter’s     gone off

                                                                                     like a siren