Safe On High Ziggurat

Safe On High Ziggurat
© Surazeus
2025 01 02

While searching for olive trees in far hills 
for his lush garden on broad river shore, 
Atum hides in shallow cave when dark storm 
drenches the world in torrents of bright rain, 
then wakes at dawn to sweet chirping of birds 
so he returns home with two olive saplings. 

Numb with shock at scene of the gushing flood, 
Atum splashes knee-deep across the plain 
till receding muddy water reveals 
entire village and garden swept away, 
so nothing remains except brick foundations 
of homes where his whole family used to live. 

Mixing mud with straw from winnowed grain stalks, 
Atum forms square bricks with cedar-wood frame, 
then, as they harden in heat of the sun, 
he constructs ziggurat forty feet high 
with huge flat top where he erects four poles 
beside deep pool for catching fresh rainwater. 

Planting olive trees and gardens of herbs 
on broad upper steps of high ziggurat, 
Atum stores wheat and wood in the warehouse 
on second highest level to preserve 
goods he produces safe from the next flood 
when rain swells water above river beds. 

Strolling along broad river with small cart 
to gather plants and animals he finds, 
Atum meets young woman with star-black eyes 
who lounges under broad acacia tree, 
weaving baskets as she hums to herself, 
so he offers figs as he kneels and smiles. 

Iusaaset accepts delicious figs, 
then offers him thick cow leather she cured, 
so he stretches them to secure his cart, 
but as he turns to return to his home 
she asks if she can come and live with him, 
so they kiss as pledge of their partnership. 

Sewing leather hides between cedar poles, 
Atum secures sturdy home against weather 
to protect Iusaaset from wind and rain, 
so they shelter safe on high ziggurat 
when swift river floods the surrounding plain, 
their firm island within the swirling chaos. 

Teaching their young children, Shu and Tefnut, 
how to tend fruit trees, vines, and garden herbs, 
Atum gathers food for Iusaaset to cook, 
then all three pause and giggle with delight 
to see large scarab beetle on her head 
as she kneads bread with white flour on her cheeks.