by Janine Canan
Heaven is Hers!
Earth is Hers!
She is a warrior,
She is a falcon,
She is a great white cow.
She fought the dragon and slew it.
She seduced the scorpion and tamed it.
The golden lion sleeps at Her side.
She is the singer,
She is desire.
She is the mountain of silver, gold and lapis.
On Her hips tall trees grow, and grasses.
From Her waters spout, ans savory grains.
Her lap is holy,
Her lips are honey,
Her hand is law.
Her breast pours heavenly rain.
She is the healer,
She is the life-giver,
She is the terror, the angerk, the hunger.
Fierce winds blow from Her heart.
Hers is the thunder, the lightning, the glory.
She is the morning,
She is the evening,
She is the star.
She wears the gown of mystery.
Heaven is Hers!
Earth is Hers!
Who can argue?
Source: "Her Magnificent Body: New & Selected Poems" by Janine Canan
Anonymous
translated by Diane Wolkstein and Samuel Noah Kramer
CA. 2500 BCE
Honored Counselor, Ornament of Heaven, Joy of An!
When sweet sleep has ended in the bedchamber,
You appear like bright daylight.
When all the lands and the people of Sumer assemble,
Those sleeping on the roofs and those sleeping by the walls,
When they sing your praises, bringing their concerns to you,
You study their words.
You render a cruel judgment against the evildoer;
You destroy the wicked.
You look with kindly eyes on the straightforward;
You give that one your blessing.
My Lady looks in sweet wonder from heaven.
The people of Sumer parade before the holy Inanna.
Inanna, the Lady of the Morning, is radiant.
I sing your praises, holy Inanna.
The Lady of the Morning is radiant on the horizon.
