Overegged

Overegged

 

The world was just too wicked.

This the Creator knew.

But, how to save the best of it?

What was a God to do?

 

A blast of searing lightning

Might scourge the evil throng.

But how to miss the good ones?

What if He got it wrong?

 

A flood! That was the answer.

He’d save some in a boat.

He’d send a mighty deluge,

And off they’d safely float.

 

He picked a chap called Noah.

He was a worthy man

To build and sail this vessel.

So God sent him the plan.

 

The boat was stout and sturdy;

A fine and doubty ride.

God said, ‘Find every creature, and

Put two of each inside.’

And soon the boat was loaded

And ready to embark.

And God called down from out the clouds,

‘I name this ship ‘The Ark’.

 

The heavens surely opened,

Like an almighty sluice.

The baddies ran for cover, but,

Alas, it was no use.

 

The Ark forged onward merrily,

With its assorted band.

And Noah sent a dove to see

If there was any land.

 

The rain had stopped. The dove returned

With a new-sprouting twig.

It was the sign they’d waited for,

Although not very big.

 

Land hove in sight, when suddenly

The Ark began to lurch.

Menageries traversed the deck;

Birds clung to every perch.

 

 

The Ark was shipping water

On the port and starboard bow.

They had almost got to safety.

How could this happen now?

 

Noah peered across the handrail,

As he teetered on the decking,

To see a pair of woodpeckers

A furiously pecking.

 

‘Oi!  Cut that out’, Noah bellowed.

‘Aye, aye.’ They brightly cheered,

And doubled up their efforts

Till a giant hole appeared.

 

Noah uttered, as they landed

On the Mount of Ararat,

‘God has made one bird too many’.

And they all agreed on that.

 

©Ruth Twyman Lockyer February 2014

ruthtwyman@hotmail.com