Inara's Return: A Poem

In this clip, the traditional myth of Inanna’s descent to the underworld is portrayed as a heroine’s journey rather than one of battle and conquest. This work describes Inanna or Inara as having her journey led by the Spider Maiden’s or Grandmother Spider or Fate who weaves or weds Inara to the Tree of Souls to lead the heavens and earth into a new era. Inara is hung on the Tree of Souls, a.k.a. the Tree of Life, to die and be reborn, fully realized and empowered with a new vision for the Heavens and Earth. While Inara is in the other worlds, the sun gradually vanishes from the worlds and is brought back by Stag to the Tree with the help of Inara’s guardians (Ki and Lily, the An Zu and tree spirit who are all saved by the hupullu; see Inara & the Hupullu Tree: ARetelling). The full story will be published in the coming years. Based on “Inanna’s Descent” from Diane and Samuel Noah Kra mer, Inanna: Queen of the Heaven and Earth; Her Stories and Hymns fromSumer. Harper & Row, 1983. Sponsored in part by a grant through the Houston Arts Alliance and the city of Houston. Original artwork by Tania Day Magallon. from the collection Inara & the Tree of Souls: An Anthology of Tales & Poems