Before Babylon was synonymous
with sin, what she sold was holy,
the closest we got to paradise
when the dead went nowhere but down,
jealous of ritual meals and scant libations.
Now, she paints her mouth
redder than nightshade,
sweet poison.
For $40, she’ll siphon bitterness
from seed, and take it
unplanted to her belly
and call it sustenance
because, like what’s dead
she is always hungry.
There is no temple here,
in this city that soils
what was sacred.
When heaven
had its queen,
sex was worship;
a divine marriage
returning Spring
to the desert,
life:
Go ahead,
call her a whore.
Where she comes from,
that used to be
the highest compliment.
Susan Daniels Poetry 
A thought-provoking poem here, Susan. Interesting that at one time to be called a whore was the greatest compliment and what was sold was holy. (THAT I had not realized about Babylon, just knew it was an evil city. I wonder if it could be compared to some of the Asian cities today which are destinations for ‘sex tourism’!
Hmm, interesting point, but not exactly the same as sexual tourism. The people of Uruk, which was under the rubble of Nineveh, believed that when they died that was it–they stayed underground, cold and lonely. Sexuality was their one way of connecting to the divine as they saw it–so temple prostitutes were honored and respected by their service to the goddess (that is at least according to the Epic of Gilgamesh, as precious little remains from that time). Love that story and mythology, although the recovering baptist I am knows exactly how the God of the Hebrews felt about them… Hah… I think we all know.
Thank you for that additional information, Susan. I had not realized about the temple prostitutes of Uruk. I should read the Epic of Gilgamesh, I suppose. Yes, for sure, the God of the Hebrews would not have approved!!!!
Oh, Mary, you definitely should read it. Steven (or Stephen) Miller has a really nice translation available…
That second stanza is killer.
Holly, thank you! Was trying to catch a description I thought might have been uncatchable.
oh my god, i love every fucking line of this masterpiece, hungry like the dead and compliments. YES!!!!
Shrinks, thank you… Means TONS coming from you. When bringing ancient myths to the surface for examination today, I had to go to Nineveh. No choice–they knew what power was, and how to tap into it. I have another piece on this blog somewhere about the temple prostitute (Shamhat, I think her name was) that tamed a wild man that you might like. Let me know if you want me to dig it up 😉
Of course I want you to! Dig faster, woman!
Aw, thanks… Here she is, and can’t believe I spelled her name right. If you have not read the Epic of Gilgamesh, you would love it. That’s what inspired both pieces.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is a beautiful, sensual thing to be inspired from! I should re-read it, it has been a few years….
Yes! One of my favorites. I know you’re no stranger to myth–should have suspected you’ve read it.
Oh, I’ve read things and parts of things, but I definitely haven’t read everything. I love suggestions!
Me too, and if you have any, I’m all ears–or I should say in this case, eyes.
George MacDonald. Lilith and Phantastes. My favorites. Not exactly myth, but…myth for me.
Hey–we get to make our own, which is wonderful.
precisely!
temple prostitution…wow…you chose not an easy topic but you mastered it with bravour… what a thought provoking write susan
Claudia, thanks! That was the idea that immediately jumped into my mind when I read your piece last night, and I fought it, but it would NOT go away…
For $40, she’ll siphon bitterness
from seed, and take it
unplanted to her belly
and call it sustenance….dang…what a vivid and intense descriptor…that used to be the highest compliment…dang…wicked close…really well done susan
Brian, thank you. Finally had to listen to my bratty muse and go to Uruk/Nineveh…
Wow…brilliant…the mythic and the modern, the changing in cultural imperatives…everything, brilliantly portrayed here..a great tribute to this goddess…wow. 🙂
Helen, thank you. She is one of my favorite goddesses.
Sometimes you gotta do what you’ve gotta do to survive… excellent choice for the prompt and so well done!
thank you much, Di!
Great lines here. Not to familiar with the story behind, but works great anyway
Thanks, Bjorn. Oh, you should definitely look this up. Would heat up your northern spring a little.
This, what you describe, is the problem with altruism. It is a challenge to Christianity today. According to some Bible translations Moses condemned it (see an example here). But the thing is not thoroughly discussed in the Bible.
Very good points. Thanks for commenting. Cut my teeth on the King James, and you are right–it is not thoroughly commented on there.
You are amazing woman!
Aw, shucks, Jennifer! Thank you. I wasn’t going to write this one initially, but that damned muse insisted 😉
I like it. stark, bare, and gutsy dare-you.
the poem has ‘balls.’ and the story is nice to be reminded of.
nice rhythm here, too. but the end stanza, sinks the poem.
good job.
Oh, thank you! Nice to meet you, too!
I’m glad the muse got you to write this. Good one.
Thank you, Alice. I thought I was done with temple prostitutes after I wrote Shamhat, but apparently not…
It’s how we continue the cycle of life, so it’s understandable that sex should be seen as sacred and life empowering. I think I’m going to have to read the story, given how your poem has engaged me.
Oh, you definitely should! You would enjoy it.Thanks for commenting.
for $40 she’ll siphon bitterness —- ooooooo —- Good ONE!!!
Cinderella Limerick
Thank you!
An interesting tale, I learn something new today ~ Good one Susan ~
Thank you, Grace. Glad you enjoyed.
I never understood the commonly used reference “The whore of Babylon” used by Protestants to describe Catholicism. Now I do. Very informative and interesting poem.
Thank you, Cressida. Enjoyed writing it.
A fascinating poem; well done. k.
K, thank you.
This is informative and reflective – and your use of language makes it sing.
Sherry, thank you! Still smiling over your Heimlich!
This, I can feel, and somehow identify.
Thank you, Nelle. Happy Easter, you!
Wow! What a masterful poem. Beautifull.
Joseph, thank you.
A real tour de femme force. Echoes of Gilgamesh, the fertile crescent, and the birthplace of written language. Bravissimo!
Thank you, Paul. This is the second of my poems inspired by EOG. The first is linked to higher up in these comments, if you want to read it (in the conversation with Shrinks). So glad you liked this!
The enigma of the Babylonian whore – mistress to divine cravings – is beautifully described in your poem! Now I wonder about the “other side” of the Roman vestal virgins???
Ohhhh, like that thought.
i see you thought of a topic
Hee, hee. Yes, yes I did. I just had to stop resisting the impetus of my muse.
…look how one once a holy offering became a dirty act of evil as time passed by… you had me with the last two stanzas Susan… this is an excellent write & i think one of my favorites so far… smiles… happy easter…
Kelvin, thank you so very much! Yes, amazing how an act of prayer became something perceived as so dirty. Happy Easter to you, too.
This speaks volumes! Nicely done, Susan.
Thank you very much, Charles. Happy Easter to you!
like what’s dead
she is always hungry.
there is such an ache here a longing for something pure. great write.
Oh, Andrea, thank you! Sigh. You caught that so well. Happy Easter to you.
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Oh, wow, thank you–that is so sweet.
So basically, in making everything in contemporary society about buying and selling and sex, we’re just returning to the roots of civilisation? Strong writing, Susan; the second stanza is particularly punchy.
Tony, thank you. Yes,we are returning to our roots but you also have to add prayer/worship in association with that sex to that list too 😉
Happy Easter.
Oh this is wonderful Susan. Too often we understand things only as they are labeled not what they were before they were labeled (or libeled).
Oh, Terry… LOVE your insight here. The label/libel thing is so true. Thanks so much for sharing that, and you have a happy and blessed Easter.
Susan, you’re a master. Not only did you inform, but wrote this in such a beautiful way. I love so many of the lines here. Thanks for the explanation you gave to Mary.
Myrna, thank you so much! You have turned me several shades of red, a color I don’t usually wear on Easter… Smiles.
A brilliant piece, Susan. Your opening stanza feels incredibly strong and the imagery throughout is courageous and human… Siphon bitterness, no temple here, returning Spring to the dessert. great stuff!
Oh, Jane, thank you. Felt good to get this out.
Superb write Susan. I must admit to have no knowledge of the Epic of Gilgamesh and will endevour to give it my attention soon.
Anna :o]
Anna, thank you! It is definitely worth reading.
My goodness! This is beautiful. Blew me away, every line of it! Now, was $40 the going rate for…..(the strong catholic hesitates and hesitates)…..for ? just checking remembering inflation and the time value of money!
This is poetry, this music, this is wow!
Noel, thank you so much! Hmmm. As I have never charged for anything, it was a number I made up 😉 But I imagine that is the going rate for something oral…
Wow!
Stacy, thank you!
Yes, Susan temple prostitution dates back to well the beginning. And yes what we are taught is very silent on this fact. But I dare say Christianity and Jesus stress on holy and purity. And there may be nothing holy or pure about prostitution, temple or otherwise, no matter how you look at it. But for pete’s sake any woman, me included would want to be labelled a whore in the bedroom 🙂
That said, you’ve churned a masterpiece my beautiful wordsmith. 😉
Thanks, Celestine, and indeed, God was pretty clear about how he felt about these goddess-worshippers of Canan…