A/N: Hi there, everyone! This isn't the first time I ever wrote something for Greek Mythology on here as a few years back I wrote a poem about Narcissus, which is another Greek legend I've been interested in. For a long time I've been in love with the tale of Orpheus and his wife Eurydice because it's really beautiful yet very tragic at the same time. Orpheus must have gone to extreme lengths to rescue his beloved from the Underworld only to lose her again. Anyway since Orpheus and Eurydice is one of my favourite couples, aside from Hades and Persephone, I decided to write a poem about them. I hope you enjoy it!
Orpheus' Descent Into The Underworld
By AngelEyes87
Wiping the tears rolling down his visage,
Hades cast a sombre gaze to his beloved
Consort, Peresphone, who was standing by
His side, weeping from thy tale of sorrow.
Through misty eyes, she silently pleaded,
Cajoling her husband to do what was best.
Thou remained quiet, hands trembling due
To nerves as thou awaited his final decision.
Sighing in resignation did the Lord of the
Underworld turn to thou, mustering the words,
"Thou shall lead Eurydice to the upper world,
Never look back or her soul will be thine forever."
A gleeful smile appeared, a pleasurable surge of
Euphoria came from within, threatening to erupt.
Thy wish has came true, succeeding in being granted
Mercy after playing a moving melody on thy lyre.
Oh, how sweet it was to be reunited once again with thy
Precious bride, a virginal maiden who met her demise.
Through no fault of her own, she suffered a fatal bite
From vipers while fleeing the clutches of a satyr.
It was only thou, Orpheus, who discovered her lifeless
Body, stunned beyond disbelief that thou had lost her.
The nymphs kissed thou with their anguished tears as
Thy played mournful songs, overwhelmed with grief.
Fortunately for thy sake, thou has been given a second
Chance, the first mortal venturing into the Dark Realm.
Thou start to think glorious thoughts of thy future with
Eurydice by thy side, bright visions of creating a family.
Turning around, thou felt Eurydice's presence from behind,
The scent of her sweet jasmine perfume filling thy nostrils.
Wordlessly, thou embark on your ascent to the realm of the
Living while she follows, her shadow being thy company.
Seconds agonisingly turned into minutes, yet still thou had
Only halfway to go, the penetrating light beckoning onwards.
No words were exchanged, yet every so often thou would
Feel a tender hand on thy shoulder, renewing thy strength.
Three quarters of the journey did thy levels of anxiety
Heightened, arousing fearful suspicions and dismal doubts.
Thou was convinced that she was no longer trailing behind,
So sure that Hades had played a cruel trick on thy mind.
In an act of foolish desperation, thou turned around, not
Realising thou has gone against Hades' strict commands.
Eurydice tried to cling onto thy outstretched hand, but
It was far too late, her soul slipped away from thou.
Thou has failed in thy vain quest for Hades owns her
Soul now, thou shall never see her graceful smile again.
And thou shall roam the marred land, lonely and miserable
Until thou die a most fitting death, thy songs remembered.
A/N: One of the funniest things I should mention is that originally I wrote this poem for a contest about Orpheus on this poetry website. And it must have been pretty good because it won bronze! :D