Enheduanna's Daughter
The first author in recorded history,
what she wrote was poetry.
She was High Priestess to the Goddess Inanna
and also to the Moon Goddess, Nanna.
She was an activist and social reformer.
Of course I am – with others – her daughter!
Thought to have been an Akkadian princess,
I see her as the Diana of her age, no less.
Thought to have been an Akkadian princess,
I see her as the Diana of her age, no less.
On the votive disc we distinguish her
by her frills, her circlet, her braided hair.
The men are plainly dressed and bald.
But all are priests, all walking tall.
A king's daughter, with Privilege in her dress,
she chose a life of constant service.
In my own small way, I too hope to serve.
May my ephemeral verses add to Love –
which keeps the world going round, it's said –
and in some way, by being, to honour those dead
who came before: each determined ancestor
from whom I claim the name of daughter.
Down through countless generations,
through many lost and scattered nations,
women have fallen, women have risen,
but we know to use the gifts we are given.
Enheduanna of the unknown face,
warrior and healer, you carved your space
in a world of challenge and diversity,
as we now make our place. So shall it be.
Written for Poetic Bloomings #210, where we are asked to write why we chose the name of our bog
Also shared with Poets United's Poetry Pantry #424
Also shared with Poets United's Poetry Pantry #424
"In my own small way, I too hope to serve./May my ephemeral verses add to Love": Beautiful! I like how you talk about the myths and the history and somewhat about politics too, in a thoughtfully wrought verse. It is at once both personal and socially significant.
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Thank you Anmol, for the high compliment!
DeleteWomen have fallen, women have risen. So very true. I do hope that in our age women never fall again and that we all retain our place!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful history - herstory? - to contemplate. A long line of poets followed in her footsteps. Cool poem, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteI like the strength and confidence the long line of ancestors gives this speaker. I love that she was a poet, love that we know a few descriptors but could use any face. She carved her space, and so do each of us!
ReplyDeleteI loved this piece, Rosemary, with references to beliefs (for some, from a by-gone age)
ReplyDeleteMay my ephemeral verses add to Love – that is a worthy goal indeed for a poet..in the end to add to the love in the universe!! So good!!
ReplyDeleteI echo Sherry's comment. We are all her daughters.
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
How beautiful to read this and to do similar ourselves to choose a pathfinder to follow for our own lives.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeously written! 💞 Especially love and admire; "In my own small way, I too hope to serve. May my ephemeral verses add to Love – which keeps the world going round." 😊
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful... I should have googled the name long ago, but it was so interesting to learn about the first recorded author was a woman...
ReplyDeleteI love that!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved the history here.
ReplyDeletePowerful! I could see this as a staged piece, ringing out across the audience. It certainly resonated with me. :)
ReplyDelete"So shall it be"!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful message, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteI love this part:
"On the votive disc we distinguish her
by her frills, her circlet, her braided hair."
I love reading anything about goddesses.
ReplyDelete~Ali
Ali, I am sorry I cannot reciprocate as I get a message your blog has been removed!!! Hope you get to see this, and that you can sort out the issue quickly.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful title! Some thoughtful and thought provoking lines in this edifying piece. The close is like an incantation.
Wendy, your link at the Pantry leads to advice that the page I am looking for does not exist!
DeleteA wonderful herstory! We have risen, fallen and yet we rise again. I love the historical touches you put into this and the political. So thoughtful and so full of truth.
ReplyDeleteLove the name of the poet. I’ll look up the name to find out the country she represents.
ReplyDeleteah, now i know the origin and reason of this blog's name. "The first author in recorded history,
ReplyDeletewhat she wrote was poetry." How apt!
yes, the rhymes too. i like that! :)
I remember hearing about on the new Cosmos series. This is such an apt name for your blog. Nicely done!
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