Where the Rainbow Came From

Utnapashtim, ancient in age,

Was paid a visit--which seemed quite odd--

From Ea, who thousands of years ago

Was a Sumerian water god.

 

The gods were angry with people on Earth.

As it turned out, the gripe that they had

Was simply because the humans were noisy

And NOT because they were evil or bad.

 

A god called Enlil suggested a flood.

It would be done, at his behest.

Once all that was over, he said,

The gods could get a good night's rest.

 

Ea told Utnapashtim to build

A giant boat. One of its features:

To be gigantic enough to hold

"The seed of ALL living creatures."

 

Utnapashtim finished his boat

Just before the rains began.

For six whole days and six whole nights

It rained nonstop, according to plan.

 

The only ones who survived the flood

Were those on Utnapashtim's boat.

Needless to say, they were all

Lucky that it had kept afloat.

 

The seventh day brought clear, calm weather.

A dove was released, but it soon returned.

Utnapashtim released a swallow.

When IT came back, too, he grew concerned.

 

"Hmmm," he thought. "Let's try a raven."

He sent forth a raven, and what do you know?

The raven did NOT return, for it

Had come across land. Way to go!

 

The huge boat came to rest upon

A mountaintop as waters receded.

All were relieved that the water god's

Urgent warnings had been heeded.

 

A god called Ishtar made the first

Rainbow appear across the sky

To serve as a promise of no more floods

And be a glory to meet the eye.

 

If you think that the story sounds

Familiar, well, you aren't alone.

The Israelites borrowed the story,

Changed it a bit, and made it their own.

 

-by Bob B (2-23-25)