Laurels Literary Magazine Spring 2016 Valentine Zine | Page 16

Enkidu
Mourns
By Mustafa Alismail
I am tormented with nightmares, my brother. Ishtar’s
poison is not the only thing eating away at me. As if
suffering in every waking hour was not enough, they
snatched rest from my sleep. Visions of what awaits hunt
me down every night. How long will it go on?
Remembering us is my only solace. How we ran . .
. how we fought . . . how we met. I roamed with beasts,
and Shamhat was sent to teach me of civilization. But all
my time with her was spent in beastly things. It was you
who truly saved me, just like I saved you. We wrestled.
You tasted the wilderness, and I tasted civilization. You
tamed me, and I tamed you. Together, we were mankind
perfected.
In this anguish, it still brings me joy to recall the
head of Humbaba mounted upon our boat as we returned
to Uruk from the Cedar Forest. That was a good fight.
Do you remember the dreams you had when we camped
before facing him? I told you not to worry, but now, I am
not sure. Perhaps they were not meant for that day; perhaps
the day is yet to come. Fearsome enemies march . . . Why
can’t I live long enough to slay them with you? We will
never complete our journey together. Your ultimate battle,
I will not see . . . .
Wretched Ishtar, I should have stabbed her heart with
the horns of the Bull she sent us.
The gods mock our lives. Those who are like us . . .
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