Heidi Hart

Writer Heidi Hart's challenge involved lots of mental pull-ups. She finished 50 poems and translations (from the previously untranslated German poet Karoline von Günderrode -- even pronouncing her name is a feat!). Here's one of Heidi's original pieces from the past month, part of a collaborative project with Seattle artist Tori Ellison on various aspects of Persephone myth. This is an upside-down Petrarchan sonnet that will eventually go with Tori's Underworldly images.

Nine

Hades may have pulled her down. The wonder --
she is safe. A seed-case waiting, closed
and growing. Her choice to split through, emerge,

when she is good and ready. Root-hairs, toes
gripping the ground. She hardens off, birch-
bark around the heartwood. And a rose

over her mouth, the way the Romans placed
one on a door behind which confidential
subjects were discussed. The killing wind will
come for her. She’ll stand. She’ll move with grace,

still rooted, silent, singing with the voice
only the listeners who know her feel
against the breastbone, inner ear, the pull
of song from underground, her own heart’s freight.