Pomegranate Seeds and Misdeeds

by Lyra Wren

In this lyrical collection, the myth of Persephone is cracked open and retold from the inside out, through the eyes of Persephone, Demeter, Hades and the poet herself. These poems speak not of abduction, but of agency. Not of silence, but of voice.

Blending ancient myth with modern femininity, “Pomegranate Seeds and Misdeeds” is a reclamation of power and a conversation between Persephone and every woman who’s ever been told to stay soft, to stay small, to stay silent.

“Oh sweet Persephone,

Even mortal women must break from

their mothers to become something new.

So when you peeled that pomegranate

and ate its seeds, did it taste of freedom?

Did the darkness offer you something

that springtime and light never could?

The gods always pegged you as one thing,

but not him. He recognized the duality

within you. He saw you and saw a queen.

I hear the nymphs cried for you and asked

if you were afraid. I hear thorns grew at

your feet and when your ichor bled into

the Underworld, you warned the Gods

against a woman’s contradictions and said,

it is me they should fear.”

-from pomegranate seeds and misdeeds

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2025

About the author

Lyra Wren is a poet and storyteller born and raised in Indiana. She’s been a creative ever since she was a little girl whether that was doodling in the empty spaces of her homework or writing countless stories for her family to read. She has a bachelors in studio art at Indiana University. When she isn’t writing in the cafe of her local bookstore, Lyra spends much of her time painting, reading, enjoying the outdoors, curating Spotify playlists and perusing astrological charts.

In 2021, Lyra began posting her poetry to Tiktok and she has since grown her online following into a large supportive community. She strives to bring comfort, hope and understanding to her audience and make the world a place where people feel a bit less alone.

Reviews

[Mae Setrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

"because to know love, is to know grief. to say hello, you will one day have to say goodbye."

i have been waiting for this specific book since the author first (unofficially) announced that she would be writing it and was overjoyed when the release was finally announced because i knew this collection wouldn't disappoint me.

while i knew i was going to enjoy & love this read since i adore mythology in all its retellings, i was also unsure how this collection was going to tell the story or even how it would be written. i'm pleased to say that this is split up and organized so incredibly well that that itself needs a moment of appreciation.

we get the story through the perspective of persephone, hades, demeter, and the author from start to finish and i devoured the entire book in a single sitting. when reading this collection, you can feel the amount of love, time, hard work and dedication the author put into it, and i cannot WAIT for the next book in this series!!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ran across Lyra Wren on Instagram and after following her posts, I really felt pulled to search for the collections she put together. These poems are beautiful and follows Persephone, Demeter and Hades as they navigate their lives through love and grief. Kore finding her place as Persephone, longing for more than just being a daughter. As all young women do, in the search of finding themself. Demeter having to find herself again, separate from being a mother, after losing her daughter to Hades. Hades finding he's wanted more to life than what's been given to him encompassing death.

Beautifully written and I couldn't put it down till I read it all in one sitting. The language she used is inspiring and vivid....and really brought the scenes to life.

[Amanda Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinite stars