Based on Genesis 5-9 in Four Parts

Part Two: The Making of the Ark

Near Noah’s home the ground was cleared, then the attention geared
gopher trees to fell, debark, deliver, cut, then neatly pile
Them on the chosen spot, then lay out the pattern on the lot.
The people in those days were very strong, kept their vitality centuries along,
Though Methuselah then the oldest, 849 years of age,
He loved to help and would engage
Himself in organizing, keeping order, helping Noah in directing
Hired craftsmen in their task, for there were to answer also questions that be asked.
As neighbours and surrounding people saw the commotion there ongoing,
They curiously came then to inquire if there was something to admire.
Seeing the strange sight of masses piled up wood,
What does this mean? Of course, they understand could not.
Then Noah came, lifting up his hand to heaven saying,
“God will send a flood to destroy the world with all its goods…
Because the sins, the wickedness of men have filled the cup,
After a given time their time is up.” –
The people most astonished listened, at first were baffled,
Stunned, perplexed. This cannot be! He must be vexed!
This is too strange a tale to bear, let us go home, we will not fear!…
The word did spread throughout the land,
Some scoffers formed a band,
With mocking lips made fun of Noah’s warning,
Singing songs of ridicule and scorning.

……………..

Years did pass, the outlay of the ark so huge begun,
One end to the other formed so great a span,
Though Noah knew the measurements,
It needed greatest skill in its requirements,
To build the shape exact and evenly in balance,
Making sure there be no chance
One side be heavier than the other that might end in a disaster.
Noah did much praying, asking God
For daily guidance, wisdom for this enormous task,
And God did lead him, gave him all he asked.
Thus the ark was forming, revealing its great shape,
It could be seen from all around the landscape.
The people from vast distances did gather,
Hearing of the project, went to see what was the matter
with the message they were told – a flood to come –
An assumption truly very bold!
Then Noah stood above the crowd, he spoke to them to warn about:
“The word came to me from God to build this very unique boat,
For He will send a flood, let this be understood,
That every living thing will die – this is not a lie –
For your wickedness and violence is such a great offence
That God will make an end.
But if you will repent, return to God in all sincerity, forsaking all iniquity,
This ark will be your refuge to save you from the great deluge!’

………………………….

All through the time the ark was in the making,
When people came, Noah did his preaching,
With loving patience warned, intreated men amend their ways, encouraged them.
Even when they argued, taunted and derided him,
Noah urged them to repent, to turn away from sin.
Thus the time went on, the years passed by,
All was as usual and blue the sky.
For the world the possibility a flood to come was an impossibility.
The scientist could find no reason to believe in such event,
They were eager, calming people to prevent
A panic in the population.
They were so sure in their calculation,
All will remain the same, nature could not produce so great a rain.
They urged not listen to this Noah’s silly talk to cause hysteria.
This so-called flood – is a mere utopia….

…………………….

Meanwhile Lamech, Noah’s father died and many others
While the ark was made; some people did repent but died,
And others being ridiculed, their faith did fade,
Succumbed to former sins again, engaged in even bolder mocking and disdain.
Hundred years had passed and gone,
The building of the ark was almost done;
Inside the chambers, stairs and ramps completed, still important details needed
to be worked upon.
Then the major, crucial, all important task was to be taken on,
By many hands to make this giant vessel waterproof,
From the bottom inside and out up to the roof.
Bitumen pitch was to be gathered, stored right on the spot
Spread upon the wood with thick, continuous strokes,
Out from the pots, and miss no tiny cracks or spots.
When this was done – it took long time, when dry it all was smooth,
Did shine like lacquer on the boat, beautiful transparent on the gopherwood.

…………………………..

Finally, the day had come, hired workmen could go home.
Finished was that great assignment to everybody’s contentment.
There it stood – the ark – this giant boat,
Imposing, intimadating, dominating – yet like a loving, warning sign of God –
A loud, but silent cry of the Most High, shouting through the sky:
“Come, return now unto Me, hear My plea the last;
Find refuge in the ark before I send the blast,
Turning upside down this wicked world to drown it sinners unrepentant,
Independent and defiant, rebellious to all righteousness, full of pride and lawlessness…”
Noah invested all he had to pay for labour, help, provision;
His sacrifice will be for the good of all there in the ark, by storing up much food,
For the time of the great flood.
The 120th year did come,
The last days for the world were approaching,
According to Noah’s warning, preaching.
Soon all life will be over, by the waters all the earth to cover.
The faithful aged did pass away also the last day for Methuselah
Was on the way, when, as the oldest man that ever lived
Aged 969, his last he breathed. –
This was the sign – now the flood will come,
making an end of all upon the earth do roam.

……………………………

One morning Noah looked – he just finished storing foods,
And water, hay and grains, all kinds of fodder, goods, –
When suddenly from hills and plains in perfect lines
To the ark animals were marching of all kinds.
Some from distance far off other lands, guided by an unseen hand,
Hopping, leaping, jumping, crawling, creeping,
In one direction in a steady moving action.
Till all came together as one grand fold,
To gather with all mammals from near and far, big and tall,
And critters low and small.
From giant mammoths, giraffes, zebras, elephants, and tigers, lions,
Antelopes, gazelles and buffalos, rhinos and the lively monkeys, and sloths the slow,
Majestic elks and deer, and wolves and foxes, bears,
Mice and minks and moles, beetles, frogs and hares,
Horses, donkeys, sheep and goats
Cattle, chickens also bats,
All to enter the ark’s wide door, they were heading for.
God’s angels guiding all to their assigned, specific spot,
Prepared for them in that giant boat.
Many people also saw this sight so awesome, wondersome.
Then the sky was shadowed by the rushing in of myriad birds;
Then lowering their flight,
Gently winged their way inside the ark so vast and roomy
Finding plenty space for rest and roosting.
The people wondered, also pondered, this is indeed peculiar, unfamiliar!
Could it be true that – oh no, no, no  –
The sky is clear and fair, forget it, we do not care!

……………………………………..

Noah then saw this is the time get in the ark,
Even before it is dark.
The last baskets full of food, vegetables, of roots and seeds and fruits,
Were stored away, all was now ready, no more delay.
Noah and his family once more did look around,
Knowing never more will walk the ground
Of their lovely home again. They into the ark stepped in,
God did close the door and shut them in.

End of Part Two

Edda Tedford, Canada