“The Goddess Inanna found Herself lonesome and lonely once more; She sang in the shade of the coolly scented cedar tree of her Father’s garden:
“Inanna is alone, alone is the Goddess; for Inanna needs the company and touch of a man, a man who shoulders the world. O Inanna is alone, alone and lonesome; the Goddess is lonesome and needs the touch and warmth of a man.”
Outside the city gates was camped the great hero Gilgamesh and Enki’s mischievous creation, the wild card to tame the powers of Gilgamesh – the tricky Enkidu; O Enkidu accompanied Gilgamesh for the gods did trust him not. For Gilgamesh had ambition that burned and an eye was needed.
Inanna spies the camp of Gilgamesh and Enkidu from the city walls; for there is the man She seeks and needs. To the form of the beautiful Turaco bird She takes, flying to where the two stood discussing the State.
“O Gilgamesh, for now is time to consider the softer parts, the softer parts that life does offer. O Gilgamesh, hear Enkidu, take rest and leave, take rest and a woman unto your bed.”
Enkidu implored Gilgamesh, for in such actions time could be wasted; for Gilgamesh to become distracted by Earthly pleasures.
“O Enkidu, I have not time nor patience for gold, nor wine, nor women. No patience for women above all, for they are the distraction, the distraction to eternity. My sight is but on one thing; victory.”
Inanna overhearing Gilgamesh vowed to have Gilgamesh; for him to only see Her in his sight. Inanna flies in and perches on Gilgamesh’s tent, silken and of many colours. She sings for Gilgamesh, so he may hear Her sweet voice:
“O Gilgamesh, the birds above call Inanna to you, call Inanna to you to hear and to love. O Gilgamesh, your Goddess takes and loves Her bull, Inanna takes and loves the lord Gilgamesh, Her indefatigable bull.”
Gilgamesh is unmoved by the singing of the bird; he turns to Enkidu and points at the city in the horizon.
‘O Enkidu, for see where my hand points? That is where Gilgamesh and his friend find glory.”
Inanna slighted by Gilgamesh turns into a ram. For Her poses must impress the warrior lord. Gilgamesh looks not at Inanna and her poses; She struts back and forth, proud head back, raised to Her hind legs, front legs upon a thicket; but Gilgamesh looks not.
An ibex of graceful beauty, elegant and poised becomes Inanna. She dances for Her bull; to sooth and to capture the heart. Enkidu stares dumbfounded at Inanna’s beauty and grace. But Gilgamesh is unmoved. He looks once more unto the city and says:
“O Enkidu, for see what my eyes see? That is where Gilgamesh and his Enkidu find glory and myth. For see what my eyes see, O Enkidu; the city beyond is where the gods do rest.”
Enkidu is transfixed by the ibex. Glorious in the sunlight. Inanna hisses, Her tongue reaches far for She is now a snake; scaled and magnificent. She curls around Gilgamesh, Her tongue to his ear:
“O Gilgamesh, join as one with Inanna; join as one and let Inanna taste Gilgamesh upon her. O Gilgamesh, O man of power and strength, join as one with Inanna.”
Gilgamesh shrugs off the snake and readies his mount:
“O Inanna, O Queen of the Night, Inanna treats Her men badly, She does toss them aside with boredom; O Queen of the Night, Gilgamesh wants not Your holy love, to dance across Your holy knees. We make with haste O Enkidu, to the city of the gods, O Enkidu ride, we make with haste.”
Inanna screeches in fury; for now She is the eagle. Majestic and hunting Her prey. She flies to the city walls and sings of Gilgamesh’s rebuff of Her passion. This angers the gods and in retribution they send Gugalanna the mighty bull, husband to Inanna’s sibling to set upon Gilgamesh and Enkidu before the gates of the city.
The Earth shakes as Gugalanna charges the warriors; again and again, his horns catching flesh and metal. Utu soars and his radiance catches Gilgamesh’s sword. Gugalanna is charging but cannot see, for the sun has deceived him and granted Gilgamesh victory once more.
The warrior strikes Gugalanna dead. Upon dismemberment by Enkidu; Enkidu, forever the mischievous and wild, calls to Inanna perched high on the city wall, Her feathers golden and haughty:
“O Inanna, O Queen of the Night; look upon this bull, this bull that died for Your holy passion, for this will be your fate too, O Goddess!”
Enkidu shakes the hind legs of Gugalanna at the Daughter of Anu. Inanna is furious as the sun; for a slight such as this shall never be forgotten.”
To Chapter Thirty – Throwing the Book
The Angry Farmer 