After The Rain

This poem has nothing to do with Israelites crossing either of the waters. It is thoough a fictional story based on the Biblical report, much like the book in question. I hope you like it.

Dear mother,
it's been warm and clear
and what incredible news i have to tell!
I am soon to be a father-in-law!
Yes, mother, my daughter is young, in love and very pretty
and although you and I don't always agree with each other
- how Beth and I wish you were near
to affirm this young man's lack of flaw.
If you set off now, you can still make it in time to the city.
Aside from that, nothing ever happens around here:
that old fool is finishing the boat and speaks of raining hell,
but seriously - if a drop falls, I will stand in awe.
I'd better focus on planning the feast -
for no god is raining on my parade, you see.
And you, don't worry about that fool from the east
rather pray to house-gods for our beautiful bride-to-be.

Dear mother,
I spoke and now I find myself regretting.
It's been raining for days with no end in sight.
Maybe your house gods could change the weather
so I can stop my foolish rainy-day tally.
We might have to wait until after the rain, for the wedding
as their house can't be finished over night.
But imagine - the old man is getting the animals together!
Come and see it; rain will soon stop and then
you should come and join us in the valley.

Dear mother,
I don't know if you will ever recieve this letter
(and maybe just as well) any time soon.
Our creek has turned into a raging river
and its waters have moved in to live with us;
there's no sign of sun, or stars, or moon.
By gods I really hope it gets better.
In any case, there will be no wedding though,
our son-in-law was lost during the bridge repair,
the water took him as a sacrifice...
My daughter is broken, she will have to let go,
but the bridge can't be fixed and I'm falling into despair.
Pray to those gods, mother, make them throw
a better dice,
because
without that bridge, we have nowhere to go...

Mother, stay in the hills!
The city has turned into a valley of death!
People have lost their minds
and started believing out of the blue!
All they do is fast and pray
but it's too late, I just saw the old man's boat has sailed!
Many people have taken their lives, even my beautiful Beth...
But the thing that drives me absolutly WILD
is that all the old man had sad turns out to be true!
Here it is, the judgement day
and there is nothing left for me to do,
but sit and curse and wail
and may God do with me as He wills.
On the second thought,
it may be too late for you too...

My dearest son,
it's so good to hear from you.
Funny you should mention the sunny weather
as here the clouds have covered the sky
since you wrote, and it's just begining to rain.
After everything this family has been through,
it would be good to get together.
But as yong families grow, the old must die
and I'm afraid I'm in too much pain.
But mind my words, my oldest one;
the old man from the East is no fool.
When the rain starts, take your family
make friends with the old man and run!
For if it rains in the valley as here is set to be,
it will turn it into a deadly swimming pool!
Now help Noah with the animals and be a friend.
And don't you worry about me,
I'm safe here on the hill.
Pray to this god I gladly send,
then board the ship if you have to and flee,
and I will see you when the rain stops, if house-gods will.
After the rain, the sun will come out
(as it alsways does)
and things will get better.
We will have so much to talk about.
Just know that bad things don't happen
to good people like us.
But all of a sudden...
I really hope you get this letter.

By me =)