Innana

I am Innana
Babylonians call me Ishtar
know me as Venus love-star
some call me the holy whore

I travel in a chariot
with seven most excellent lions
carry with me an ethereal nature
as fine as the moon-god Nanna

when I'm with him in the heavens
we are as nectar pouring down
raining great joy on earth below

I am the third seal
when I'm exalted in the sky
engrave my secret sigil on copper
safe from eyes other than yours
then wrap your totem in purest silk
store it away in a secure place

my sister is Ereshkigal queen of all Underworld
the reason she wears armour carries a bow
guardian for you and protector
she rules over war as well as love
passion and earthly gifts

her colour is purest white
yet she appears on earth as the metal copper
her flower, the fairest that grows
on the blood soaked battlefields

our home is the city of Ur
our heart, old Babylon

Pamela Sidney 2000