Black History Month Day 10.

To appreciate the poem, it’s necessary to be familiar with the story of Persephone and her mother, Demeter. In case you have forgotten, here is the myth of Persephone. The poem can be read as a piece of parental advice from a mother to her daughter. It is a scorching commentary on the society in which an innocent girl exploring the world on her own looking for “One narcissus among the ordinary” (something exceptional) should be punished severely for her quest.

Persephone, Falling
By Rita Dove (1952-)

One narcissus among the ordinary beautiful
flowers, one unlike all the others! She pulled,
Read the complete poem here.