Demeter

When you tuck your daughter on the train
and watch her wan face slide into the night
and you are left upon the platform
with your tears, so small within your skin,
shrunk to a whisper as love pulls away;
you turn towards the tube’s wide mouth
descending to the hot rebreathing air,
knowing how simple it would be
to ride the escalator into Hades’ flames
if you had just a whisker of a chance
to bring her back with you.