Litany to Hades

Noble Hades, lord of the afterworld, upon

your head the shining helm that veils the one it crowns

in darkness, within your grasp the fearful staff

with which you split the world asunder. Hades,

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Hades, holder of all the wealth within the world,

yours are all the priceless treasures buried in

the earth’s deep bones, the silver and the gold,

the copper and the iron, the many-colored gems.

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Within your realm, O Hades, are treasures too

of life and abundance. The precious seeds of fruit

and grain, the soft black soil that clings to root and leaf,

without these gifts would mankind fail to flourish.

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Kindly host of the dead, receiver of all who pass

from the earth into your deep, abyssal realm,

granter of rest for the weary, sweet reunion

for those too long parted by your well-wrought gates.

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Fair-minded Hades, even-handed one who holds

in hand the lot of all whose earthly lives have ended.

The greatest of kings, the lowest of beggars,

all receive reward or sanction by your will.

I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Reviews

[Madison R. Forest]

Very interesting! It explores usually ignored aspects of our dear Hades, like wealth and fertility of the earth. The writing is in a consistent state of awe and utmost respect, as due to a great god. I would have liked a different last verse, it left a feeling of unclosure, but otherwise it's very well executed and the flow is great! Good job ♥

[Hypnos]

Thank you for your kind words.

[Angel]

I had always thought of Hades as a cruel god...kidnapper of the beautiful Persephone, daughter of Demeter...and the master of cruel death.
I never thought of him as being kind. This is a new idea for me. Something I've been pondering since first I met you.
This is a beautiful tribute.