And so, as Enoch grew old
He told his son, Methuselah:
“I must walk with God before the world turns cold,
and the waters of chaos
wash away the sins of Cain.”

In time, Methuselah’s son, Lamech,
Cane to his father and said:
My son, Noah, has been born
And shines with the light of the watchers.
Has Bitenosh, my wife, been unfaithful?”

Methuselah went unto Enoch
with that question, and Enoch answered thusly:
“Noah is the true son of Lamech
following the straight line of justice.
Attend! When the time is ripe
Hide thyself from Noah, the waters, and the watchers;
for thy life shall continue
Until the stars grow cold and time itself dies.”
So saying, Enoch walked with God
And was seen no more.

Noah grew tall and strong and built
an ark as he was commanded.
A little while before it was sealed
Methuselah hid himself
in the bedding for the animals.
He grew wise in the ways
Of hiding, and so lived
Unnoticed to the present day.
Waiting.


* as translated from the Geez manuscript found in northern Ethiopia.