Enmerkar and the Word of the Goddess
A retelling in Sumerian-style poetic structure
The lord of Kulaba, the shepherd of Uruk,
The builder of temples, the servant of Inanna,
Stood in the holy courtyard, stood before the goddess,
Spoke to Inanna with clean hands and lifted eyes.
“O Lady of battle, O Lady of love,
O traveler between heaven and earth,
I will build your house, I will raise your throne.
Its walls will shine with lapis and gold,
Its gate will open to the seven winds.”
But the land had no gold.
The land had no stone.
The land had no cedar beams.
The treasures lay far in Aratta.
The riches lay guarded in Aratta.
Then Enmerkar, lord of Kulaba,
Summoned his messenger.
He summoned the swift one, the clear-voiced one.
He gave him the word.
He gave him the message.
He spoke and the words were weighty.
“Go to the lord of Aratta.
Cross the mountain paths.
Cross the shining rivers.
Say to him: ‘Inanna has chosen Uruk.
Inanna has set her heart on Kulaba.
Send your tribute. Send your treasures.
Bow before the one who carries her favor.’”
The messenger bowed.
The messenger departed.
He crossed seven mountains.
He crossed seven rivers.
He came to the gates of Aratta.
He spoke the words of Enmerkar.
But the lord of Aratta would not bow.
The lord of Aratta would not yield.
He answered with proud words.
He answered with his own will.
“My city is rich. My gods are great.
Let Enmerkar prove his favor.
Let Inanna show her sign.
I will not bend my neck to Uruk.
I will not give my wealth to Kulaba.”
The messenger returned.
He brought the answer to Uruk.
He brought the defiance to Enmerkar.
Then Enmerkar sent another word.
Then Enmerkar sent a stronger word.
But the word was long.
The word was heavy.
The messenger stood silent.
The messenger could not remember.
Then the king of Uruk took clay.
Then the lord of Kulaba took a reed.
He pressed the words into the clay.
He made marks that did not fade.
He made signs that held the voice.
Thus writing was born in the land.
The messenger carried the tablet.
The messenger returned to Aratta.
The signs were read.
The signs were seen.
The gods sent rain upon the fields.
The clouds rose over the mountains.
The grain grew tall in Aratta.
Then the lord of Aratta feared.
Then the lord of Aratta submitted.
He sent lapis. He sent silver.
He sent gold and timber and stone.
He bowed before the name of Inanna.
He bent before the will of Uruk.
The temple was raised.
The shrine was built.
Inanna entered with joy.
The people rejoiced.
The city was blessed.