Utu Sun Mother Of Bread

Utu Sun Mother Of Bread
© Surazeus
2018 05 08

Tall stalks of gold wheat shimmer in the sun
that gleams over rocky hills after dawn.
The young girl with long black hair and gray eyes
crouches by the sparkling river on stone
where she carved large image of the bright sun,
and dips her hand in the cold flowing water.
Utu stands and stretches both arms high
toward blazing sun that gleams on her red skin,
and everyone on both shores of the river
gaze at Utu who glows in warm sunlight.

Walking to the apple tree that grows wide
inside the circling wall composed of stones
beside the fountain sparkling from the cave,
Utu plucks apples she gives to each child
who laugh and play as they devour the fruit,
then spit seeds in the mud where water gleams.
Moving among the breeze-blown stalks of wheat,
Utu plucks sheaves and lays them on large rock,
then pounds seeds to soft flour with river stone.
Pouring flour in large bowl, she mixes it thick
with river water and three serpent eggs,
kneading it till she forms thick clump of dough.

Standing over the ring of stones where flames
crackle from dry logs, Utu raises dough
round and yellow toward the sun it resembles,
chants, "Give us sunlight in gift of your wheat,"
then places it on flat stone among flames.
Sweet scent of cooking bread wafts on the breeze
so everyone gathers around stone ring
and chants, "Arinna, hearth stone of the fire,
you transform wheat into nutritious bread."
The yellow clump of dough hardens and browns,
so Utu stabs it with sharp stick and lifts,
then drops the loaf of bread on bear skin mat.

Tearing chunks of bread, Utu lifts each up
toward the shining sun and chants, "The warm sun
spits seeds in the soil and scatters cool rain
so rays of sunlight grow into gold wheat.
The sun gives us this bread for us to eat,
so eat soft warm bread and remember her."
Everyone eats chunks of bread that she gives,
chanting, "Utu, Sun Mother of Wheat Land,
gives us sweet bread from the loaf of her heart
so we can consume the light of the sun
which glows inside our hearts with heat of love."

Utu sits on large stone while people eat
loaves of bread and apples from her sun tree.
Calling family fathers to join the circle,
Utu describes to them with gesturing hands
her vision of large stones to form large circle
where everyone can gather every night
to feast around Arinna, hearth stone fire.
Cutting large blocks of stone with cross on top,
they erect twelve stones in large haven circle
on broad hill top, and carve on each tall stone
animal that represents each clan name.

Sitting on the large stone between two trees
that glimmer red with hundreds of ripe apples,
Utu chants while twelve mothers stand by stones
and their clans gather around them in groups.
Tarhunna approaches large ring of stones
in the center of their new feasting temple
and casts fire that glows around the hearth stone.
"Utu, my wife and queen, is the bright sun
who provides warm light for our hungry hearts
for her hands give us apples and bread loaves."

Everyone cheers and sings as Utu stands
and holds the apple and the stalk of wheat
in each hand when she blesses them with love.
Sitting again, Utu spreads both hands wide,
gesturing for everyone to start the feast.
Tarhunna sits by her side on the stone
and places on her lap their little daughter.
Mezulla throws her small arms around her neck
then mother and daughter giggle and kiss.

Leaping from the crowd to prance in quick circles,
Telipinu plays haunting melodies
on the bone flute he carved from a bear leg,
while his two younger brothers, Zappalanda
and Nerik, beat thunder on leather drums.
Fire glows bright on faces of every person
as they feast around hearth stone of Arinna,
singing hymns to their Sun Mother of Bread
with carefree joy while they dance in wild circles
under watchful eyes of Sun Goddess Utu.