GMC Poetry: To Ereshkigal

I sing now of the Great Queen of Irkalla

Goddess Who dwells in pregnant darkness

 

Fearsome Queen

Corpse Queen

 

Ereshkigal of the razor eyes and inflamed heart

Oft-forgotten sister of bright Inanna

 

Fearsome Queen

Corpse Queen

 

Ereshkigal, Who rules in brilliant blackness

In the howling abyss

Where hungry spirits thirst for blood

 

Fearsome Queen

Corpse Queen

 

Dread Lady of hidden secrets

Of earth, of bone, of blood and filth –

And of tears. Most especially of tears.

 

Fearsome Queen

Corpse Queen

 

 

You are the Great Mourner, Who weeps for all whose lives are cut short before their time.

Infants who never knew life, soilders who died while still young men and women,

Those cut down by disease and violence.

You cry out for them all, for the world is not fair.

You know this keenly.

 

Fearsome Queen

Corpse Queen

 

Oh Ereshkigal, most ancient of the ancients

Reviled Goddess of Mesopotamia,

Who is older than the written word

Though I shudder at the thought of You,

I recognize You are necessary.

Your power is awe-inspiring, and fearful, too.

 

Fearsome Queen

Corpse Queen

 

Mighty Queen of the Underworld,

I will remember You in another song,

You Who meet all at the end of their days

Fearsome Queen

Corpse Queen

 

Remember me when I come to meet You.

3 responses to “GMC Poetry: To Ereshkigal”

  1. Yas, yas, YAS! Love this poem!

  2. Hello!
    I love this poem.
    I’m working on a performance and short film around Desire and wanted to use a few lines from this poem.
    Who do I credit for this?

    1. Amanda Artemisia Forrester, but tbh I took the phrase “of the razor eyes” from, of all places, an invocation on episode of Angel.

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