Craving adoration

 Sing, O Muse, of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk's might, 

Whose heart was filled with sorrow, in the palace, late at night. 

Upon his throne he sat alone, with tears that fell like rain, 

A courtesan dismissed, an advisor's harsh disdain.

"Leave me!" cried the mighty king, his voice a mournful wail, 

Lost in memories of glory, and a quest that could not fail. 

His mind did drift to days of old, when he and Enkidu, 

Set forth to seek eternal fame, with hearts both brave and true.

Through forests dark and mountains high, they journeyed side by side, 

To face a beast of monstrous form, with courage as their guide. 

With pride and hubris in their hearts, they challenged gods above, 

Defying fate and sacred laws, in their quest for endless love.

With sword and strength they struck it down, and victory was won, 

But hubris brought the gods' wrath, and their troubles had begun. 

Enkidu, the wild man, fell ill and met his end, 

Leaving Gilgamesh in grief, without his dearest friend.

In desperation, Gilgamesh sought out the secret lore, 

To find the path to immortality, and live forevermore. 

He traveled far, through lands unknown, to seek an ancient sage, 

A man who lived beyond the flood, and far beyond his age.

But wisdom came with bitter truth, and Gilgamesh did learn, 

That mortal man must face his fate, and to the earth return. 

With heavy heart, he journeyed back, to Uruk's mighty walls, 

Wiser now, and humbled by the lessons fate befalls.

~

Thousands of years did pass, and time did weave its tale, 

A nameless sage, with brush in hand, began to unveil. 

Imagining the ancient past, he painted scenes of plight, 

Using colors of ambition, suffering, and might.

A portrait of the king was formed, with hubris in his eyes, 

A story of a hero's fall, beneath the endless skies. 

Yet in the painter's crafted work, his own ambition lies, 

And we, the viewers, feel the weight of his biased guise.

For in the painting, truth is bent, ambition's heavy cost, 

The glory sought, the battles fought, and all that had been lost. 

Thus ends the tale of Gilgamesh, the king who sought to rise, 

And dreamed in his legacy, true immortality lies.