by pamba*
translated from the akkadian by horace p sternwall
there is a flower
that will only open
when time stops
o traveler do not wait
upon the sun
but hasten from this place
this wall of the dreams of kings
this palace of beggars
this council house of skulls
did you dream of stopping time
it has already devoured you
as the sand devours the sea
as tilgath devoured babylon
as nabopolassar devoured assyria
as alexander devoured egypt
as the owl devours the mouse
o traveler do not wait
but hasten from this place
that those who laugh
at the wanderings of men
may send you a drop of rain
a tear from the eye
of the beast
that devours you
* pamba (c 1 ad - 50 ad) was one of the last poets to write in akkadian. nothing is known of him (her?)
