Great Demeter, I pour libations to you, great Mother, and I give alms in your name.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how you loved your child, loved her with a love that would never give up.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how your innocent child was attacked, gathering flowers in the field with her friends.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how you searched everywhere, never ceasing to look for answers.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how, when you were about to give up hope, Baubo told you bawdy jokes and lifted her skirts so that you could laugh and take up, again, your crusade for the safe return of your child.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how you cared for other children, Demophon, anointing him with ambrosia and teaching him to grow grain.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how only Hecate would tell you the truth, how you reacted when you learned who had harmed your child.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how you protested when your child was in danger, going on strike until even Zeus himself was moved.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how you would not give in, insisting upon the safe return of your child, until even Hermes himself went to Hades.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how even the Lord of the Underworld himself surrendered to your will and returned your daughter to you.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember your joy at your child's safety.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

I remember how you compromised and accepted a political solution that kept your child safe.

Great Demeter, I pour libations to you Great Mother, and I give alms in your name.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you, from a land whose children are daily in danger, innocently sitting in their schoolrooms, shopping in the marketplace, watching filmed plays.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you, from a land whose parents are terrified, and confused, and near despair.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you, from a land whose people need your example of untiring devotion to children.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you, from a land whose rulers, like Zeus, must be made to see the consequence of taking lightly the safety of children and the concerns of their parents.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you, from a land in need of Baubo's laughter, that we may find the will to persevere.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you, from a land where compromise and a political solution to gun violence seem impossible but are, without doubt, necessary.

Great Demeter, I call tonight to you.

 I pour libations to you Great Mother, and I give alms in your name.