Persephone's Spring

In a six-part series, Marilyn Bouma observes and records the remarkable arrival of spring.

May 13, 2020

Musing & illustrations by marilyn bouma

Persephone

I have always been fascinated by anthropomorphism which is attributing human traits to non-human elements such as nature. The Greeks did this famously in their legends to explain the seasons.

Persephone is the daughter of Zeus, King of Mount Olympus and Demeter, the queen and goddess of the earth, also known as Mother Nature. Persephone is abducted by Hades, ruler of the underworld. Demeter was so grief-stricken she made all of the flowers and plants die – what we know as fall and winter. She made a deal with Hades that if her daughter could return aboveground to Earth for six months of the year she would restore nature – what we know as spring and summer.

For the last few springs, I have observed and recorded the remarkable unfolding of flowers and trees, especially the Manitoba maple. The emerging leaves are so intricate and beautiful and the branches have a graceful upward curve so the budding leaves can face the sun. The purple flowers are wild crocus or periwinkle, small flowers that cover the forest floor in patches. This is the imagery that I have illustrated entwining around Persephone, featured on the cover.

flight of my imagination

This was the first painting I created after we were sent home from work to “socially distance.” I felt lost at first from the normal structure of the work week, but then I realized it gave me the freedom to express myself in my art. Also, when freedom of movement is jeopardized the first thought that comes to my mind is to fly, the ultimate symbol of freedom. So I painted an angel or a fairy, both from the imaginary realm and an artist’s reference for wings is, of course, from birds. So this image looks more like a dancer with bird wings. I have always wanted to fly. Apparently my spirit animal is the eagle and I can fly in my dreams. So it all makes sense.