Hades Calls a Family Meeting
–after “Gaia forgets her shopping list” by Clarabelle Miray Fields
They waited to have it
when she wasn’t home,
though they can still see her
through the windowpane–
the old crone is busy
in the garden picking flowers,
her bowing figure framed in the big bay windows
that Persephone had wanted,
new kitchen overlooking
the Elysium fields.
They’re gathered around
the table, all of them,
a fresh pot of ambrosia
pouring hot into tea cups,
Charon drinking from his usual flask.
Hera doesn’t want to be here,
her shining nails tapping against ceramic,
leg bouncing until Hades reminds her
“She’s your grandmother, too.”
Hestia and Athena have said nothing,
but Aphrodite is beside herself as she sobs,
Demeter wiping away at her tears.
“She makes it halfway down Olympus
and forgets what she was going for in the first place,
and one of the Zephyrs has to
bring her home.”
It’s been undeniable lately–
Gaia’s age, her increasing forgetfulness,
the way she can’t remember to work
her craft or her loom.
“Everyone gets old, you know,”
Demeter says,
and she glances sharply at Hades’ face,
the bags beneath his tired eyes starting to look
so much like hers.
“She likes the garden here.
Plus, she would have Cerberus
to keep her company.”
Hades winces,
knowing Demeter’s points are true.
His little brothers
Zeus and Poseidon stay silent,
staring into their tea cups
as if they are made of stone.
Hades sighs again, head heavy.
“Alright. Gaia will move in with me
and Persephone, at least for now.”
Outside,
through the windowpane,
they see Gaia with her hands full of flowers,
her smile bright like a little girl’s.
Persephone comes to the doorway,
calling sweetly.
“Great-grandmother, come inside–
the ambrosia is still warm!”