Poem Without A Title
 
by 
 
Klaus J. Gerken
 
Canto XIII
 
Gilgamesh
(Old Babylonian Version)
 
[tablet i missing]
 
tablet ii
 
gilgamesh dreamed
told his mother
"i was horny and walked
with young men
saw the stars  
and bodyguard 
of alum pushed me down
i tried to fight
but he overwhelmed me
everyone in uruk
gathered round
kissing his feet
i conceded
and they asked why
i have told you this"
 
his mother 
all-knowing said
"i presume this bodyguard
was your equal
born beyond the 
fertile valley
where the mountains
birthed him
you rejoiced when he came
young men kissed his feet
you hugged him
and brought him to me"
 
he nodded off 
and had a second dream
woke and told his mother
"i had another dream
was walking in the street
of downtown uruk
and someone threw an axe
to the ground
in front of me
it was a strange axe
but when i saw it
i was happy
i took it as my wife
and i spoiled it
i picked it up
and kept it by my side"
 
his mother
all-knowing said
 
... (lines missing)
 
"this dream
proves he is our equal"
 
gilgamesh described 
the dream: "enkidu
was with a whore
they fucked
he forgot about the valley
of his birth
six days and seven nights
he was stiff
and immersed himself
in sex
the whore spoke
to enkidu
"i see a god 
when i look at you enkidu
why are you wandering
through meadows
where fierce 
animals dwell
come with me
and i will take you
to uruk
to anum's place
get up and follow me
to eanna where
anum lives
where perfect gilgamesh
resides and where you
can love him
as you love yourself
come on get up
no more fucking"
 
he listened and agreed
her bidding pierced
his heart
she stripped
then clothed him
in an outer robe
held his hand
and like a goddess
led him forth
to a shepherd's hovel
next to a pen
the shepherds gathered round 
 
... [missing lines]
 
and he sucked the milk
of wilderbeasts
they offered food
he squinted stared
enkidu didn't know
what bread was
couldn't eat the stuff
nor knew beer
never learned
the whore spoke
to enkidu
"eat enkidu
the stuff of life
drink your destiny"
enkidu ate
until full
drank
seven cups
until satiated
felt calm and gay
heart uplifted
face flushed
rubbed ... over 
his hairy body
dressed
like a soldier
hoisted weapon
fought lions
while shepherds 
slept at night
drove wolves away
and lions
the elders rested
enkidu stayed awake
took the guard
one youth spoke
"
... [missing lines]
 
"
he partied
looked up
saw a man
said to whore
"bring him here
what's he want
what's his name"
she called him
he came and spoke
"why in such a hurry
you're out of breath"
the youth answered 
enkidu                               
"i have been invited
to the house of your
wife's father
it was ordained
by the people
how to choose their
daughter-in-laws
i set the table
at the banquets
with fine cuisine
in the city of your
wife's father
the king of 
great uruk                                    
open the gate
for the guests
of the bridegrooms
gilgamesh is the king
of great uruk
open the gate
for the guests
of the bridegrooms
he will make his 
future wife pregnant
first then
the husband
it was declared
by the assembly 
of anum
and pre-ordained
when his umbilical 
cord was cut"
the face of the youth
went white
 
... [missing lines]
                     
enkidu lead
smankar followed 
he entered great uruk
men congregated
he stood in the street 
of great uruk
people gathered
gossiping
"he has the same 
physique as gilgamesh
shorter though
strong...bones
mountains birthed him                            
he ate
sucked the milk 
of wilderbeasts
in uruk sacrifices
will be honoured
youths will
purify themselves
lutes will play
for the upright ones
god-like gilgamesh
has found a match"
the bed prepared
for Ishhara
and gilgamesh
walked away
from all the girls
as enkidu was
in the street 
and challenged
gilgamesh                                          
 
full of lust ...
gilgamesh ...
flung upon ...
angry ...
enkidu rose
before him
challenging
each other
in the forum
enkidu blocked
the door
with his foot
refused entry
they wrestled
bent over
broke the frame
walls quivered                                      
gilgamesh and 
enkidu fought
like wrestlers
gilgamesh dropped
his foot hit
the ground
his rage quelled
he turned away
enkidu spoke
to gilgamesh
"your mother birthed you
to be special
wild heifer 
of the sheepfold
ninsum
raised you above death
ellil made you king
over all"
"lord over all"                                       
 
***
 
thus friendship
was solidified
from dust to bronze
a forge of common trust
gilgamesh and enkido
king and advisor
cedar mountain
huwawa defeated
the gods pass sentence
strike enkidu dead
thus the tale
and this the journey
one does not pause
avenging loss
 
through the misty
dawn of civilization
out of ruins come
the auguries
of poetry and ritual
the yggdrasil and odin
god does not worship
god
flight eternal
rising with osiris
setting with the ka
pretend that the horizon                              
is waiting on a star
sustenance and war
prepare for what we are
 
kjg
 
***
 
tablet iii
 
... [missing lines]
 
kissed
friendship formed
 
... [missing lines]
 
adversary...
meant for him...
mourners...
mother of...                                              
 
... [missing lines]                                
 
tears
anger
troubled
enkidu shed tears
was angry
crumbled
gilgamesh looked down
said to enkidu
"why are you crying
you are angry
you are troubled"
enkidu spoke to
gilgamesh
"i howl with grief
my friend
the muscles in my 
neck stiffen
my arms weak
my strength is gone"
gilgamesh spoke to
enkidu
 
... [missing lines]
 
huwawa killed...
slay...
destroy...
cut down...
the forest...
 
... [lines missing]
 
enkidu spoke to
gilgamesh                                           
"darkness covered
the mountain
when i herded
cattle there
the forest stretched 
60 kilometres
in all directions
who can wander through
huwawa's cry is the flood
his word fire
his breath death
why do you want
to do this
huwawa's home
is impossible
to siege"
gilgamesh spoke to
enkidu
"my friend
i will go to the mountain
i will go to the forest
 
... [missing lines]
 
house of...
axe...
you...
i will..."
enkidu spoke to
gilgamesh
"how can we go
to the pine forest                                   
wer is it's protector...
he is powerful
and never sleeps
huwawa...wer
adad...
he...
 
protects the forest                                  
...seven curses"
gilgamesh spoke to
enkidu
"who enters heaven
my friend
only the gods
live with shamash
forever
man counts his days
whatever man achieves                                
is only wind
does death confront 
you now
has almighty strength 
deserted you
let me lead
as your voice calls
'go alone do not fear'
if i get killed
fame will be my fate
it will be said
"gilgamesh battled
with fierce huwawa
a noble" but you
were raised in the
valley
when a lion 
confronted you
you knew what to do
 
... [lines missing]                                 
 
you angered me
by saying that
i'll get busy then
and chop down 
the forest
fame will come
and last forever
...my friend i will
go to the forge
and they will manufacture                              
weapons as you watch"
 
they walked hand in hand
to the forge
smithies conferred
cast small axes
war axes for
three talents each
heavy swords
blades cost two
talents each
rivets thirty minas
gold for ornaments
thirty minas
gilgamesh and enkidu
contributed ten 
talents each
...gates of uruk
men assembled
listened
partied in the
wide streets
gilgamesh had fun
... of uruk
assembled
gilgamesh spoke
to them
 
... [missing lines]                                   
 
where's the god
who the land lauds
let me confront him
in the forest of pines
let everyone know
how great the son
of uruk is
let me cut the forest down
and be honoured forever"
 
the elders of great
uruk spoke
each to gilgamesh
"what's courage                                       
in your eyes gilgamesh
makes you a fool
you have no idea
what you are up against
huwawa is not of us
who can match 
his armaments
the forest a vast
60 kilometres 
in all directions
who can get through that
huwawa has his flood
he speaks fire
he breathes death
why do you persist
with this madness
hawawa's home can't
be taken"
gilgamesh listened
smiled at his friend
"well my friend
should i speak also
should i fear...
 
... [missing lines]
 
your god...
the road ahead
to the harbour of uruk
gilgamesh sat
spoke
"I'll go shamash
to save my life
just get me back here
safe and sound
grant me your protection"
gilgamesh commanded...
 
... [missing lines]                                    
 
gilgamesh cried
journey...never made
does the god
not know the way
a prisoner
...joyous heart
satisfied with
home and my 
good looks
...thrones
...armour
...knives
...bow and arrow
...they held
hoisted small axe
strung bow                                             
ashum made
sword in belt
men readied
close to gilgamesh
"when will you return 
to uruk"
elders gave 
their blessing                                          
advised gilgamesh
"your strength 
is not your asset
observe and
be aware
let enkidu lead
keep to
the straight path
he knows the way
through the forest
and hawawa's treachery
he will lead
and keep you safe
sharp-eyed
he will guard you
shamash will
ensure victory                                          
let your eyes
back up your words
open the closed
path to travel
let him lead
your footsteps
guide your feet
on the mountain
in the night
let lugalhanda
stand beside you
in victory
let victory come
as easy a your children
wash your feet
in hawawa's river
as you want
dig your pit
when you rest 
at night
and never be
without water 
in your waterskin
locate cool water
for shamash
and don't forget
lugalbanda"
 
enkidu spoke to
gilgamesh
"...let's go
don't fear
follow me
...his abode is
sinister
they will follow the road
to hawawa
...make sure they return
 
... [missing lines]
 
...let them follow me
...to you"
 
they rejoice
at his words
the young men
"depart gilgamesh...
may god support... 
...your victory"
 
gilgamesh and...
 
... [lines missing]                                
 
new tablet iv (?)
 
enkidu spoke to
gilgamesh
"kill him...god...
 
... [missing lines]
 
...enkidu...
now...
the cloak of the 
firmament cannot
penetrate the forest
the cloak of the
firmament is darkened
where it cannot
penetrate..."
 
enkidu spoke to                                   
gilgamesh
"if you trap a bird
where do the chicks go
flittering through
the forest like the
cloak of the 
firmament
go kill him kill
his servant too"
 
gilgamesh listened
picked up his axe
drew his sword
stabbed him in the neck
enkidu pierced                                      
his heart
a third blow
struck 
he killed huwawa
hit the ground
also killed...
forest...
killed...forest
those of syria and
lebanon...
...mountains
...mountain tops
killed...pines...
the defeated...returned
net...sword
...
house of ennaki
gilgamesh split 
the wood
enkidu uprooted
stumps
...spoke to
gilgamesh
"...pine forest
...changed                                           
 
...
 
[tablets missing]
 
last tablet
 
... [missing lines]
 
"...skin devours the meat
...Euphrates gilgamesh
never existed
when winds blow
follow water"                                        
 
shamash concerned
approached him
spoke to gilgamesh
"what are you
searching for
you know you won't
find eternity
in life"
 
gilgamesh spoke
the soldier
shamash
"when i was wandering
in the valley
the earth sleeps
so should i sleep
as the earth
let me see the sun
let me see the light
the darkness is hollow
how full the light
will a dead man
ever see the light again
 
... [missing lines]                                     
 
"we went through 
much together
enkidu whom i loved
went through much
he suffered the fate
of people
i wept night and day
refused his burial
would be rise again
seven days and 
seven nights
i left his corpse
till worms crawled
from his nostrils
eternal life
passes by me
since he died
i flee like a bandit
in the valley hiding
until i have come here
to you barmaid
i don't want to
experience death"
 
the barmaid spoke to
gilgamesh                                                 
"what are you
searching for
you know you won't
find eternity
in life
when the gods
created man
they also created 
death for man
keeping eternal 
life for themselves
so fill your stomach
feast and enjoy 
whatever life you have
every day live for
pleasure dance
all day and night
wear the latest fashion
keep your head clean
and bathe in water
enjoy the child who
holds your hand
let your wife
enjoy your lap
this is your work...
...
that of the living..."
 
gilgamesh spoke to the
barmaid                                                 
"what are you implying
i mourn for my friend
what are you implying
i mourn for enkidu
you live here
next to the sea
you see ships from
everywhere
show me a path...
if you can...if
i crossed the sea"
the barmaid spoke to
gilgamesh
"there is none like you
gilgamesh who travels...
 
... [missing lines]                                  
 
he broke things
in his anger
he towered over him
sur-sunabu stared
into his eyes
sur-sanabu spoke to
gilgamesh
"what's your name
i am sur-samabu
servant of uta-na'ishtim
far away"
 
gilgamesh spoke to
sur-sanabu
"i am gilgamesh
from uruk eanni
i walked over the 
mountains came 
from the east
now face to face 
sur-samabu bring me
to uta-na'ishtim
far away"
 
sur-sanabu spoke to
gilgamesh                                              
"i will take you to
uta-na'ishtim
far away
...get the boat
i will take you 
where ... rose
...they gather and confer
he will speak to him"
 
sur-sanabu spoke to
gilgamesh   
"carry me across
the 'rock bridge'
so i do not touch
the poison water
but in your anger
you disturbed them
the 'stone bridge'
was there to allow
me to cross
take your axe
and cut three hundred
poles 30 metres long
...take ropes
 
[rest of tablet lost]
 
tables XI and XII lost
 
end                                                  
 
*
 
bridges
built not built
history is just
so many journeys
discoveries
chances taken
not taken
some empty
some full
all an adventure
that teaches
and transforms
through knowing
the past and
discovering new 
horizons
little do we know
each moment of our 
life's an odyssey
and we only
have one chance
at it
and it's not
what we learn for
ourselves but
pass on to others                                    
we must never cease
to journey to
that far horizon
and beyond
but never without
knowing what we 
left behind
for the return
will be our 
catalyst to
journey forth
home is where
the heart is
the mind commits
to new horizons
do not quit
bring home bounty
share the wealth
of your new knowledge
always build upon
a good foundation
never in a void
gilgamesh may 
have ended up 
in a bar
but what memories
to share and give 
the world its first
epic poem
 
nothing can be lost
that we don't suffer
be brave
advance
and prosper                                            
 
 
kjg 30 aug - 3 sep 2014


*

Important Note: This is not meant as a translation.
It is a personal reworking of the poem in the
context of this work and is based heavily
on the Stephanie Dalley translation in the 
Oxford World Classics: Myths from Mesopotamia (1989)
and several internet sources.
My way of working was to read a section and then
from memory several days later write my own version.
For the translation please refer to that work.

*
 
Published by Ygdrasil Press
Copyright 2014 Klaus J. Gerken