Noah's Ne'er-Do-Well

Noah lived by the axiom, “Hard work will always pay;”
his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth also felt that way.
But Noah had a son-in-law who was a ne’er do well,
and Jed would shun away from work, but not the dinner bell.

Old Noah was a righteous man, quiescent and austere,
with noble virtues in his mind and with two ears to hear.
So when God stated from above the gist of His intent,
old Noah took those words to heart and off to work he went.

Lazy Jed did not contribute much to building the ark;
he would malinger frequently as storm clouds grew quite dark.
It was a task for him to tar or even go for wood,
but Noah and his sons worked on, as death was understood.

  (For God had seen the evilness prolific everywhere;
  man’s avarice for wickedness was more than He could spare.
  The ways of man just broke His heart--this He could not allow;
  He’d blot out all life with a flood, for this He did avow.)

When Noah tried to convince Jed that judgment would occur,
he thought that Jed believed his words, but he could not be sure.
It was not Noah’s innate way to coerce with a threat,
but he used it so ne’er do Jed would keep from getting wet.

  (And more than wet, for Noah knew the need for such a boat;
  the only point was buoyancy, to keep the life afloat.
  So over time the ark rose up and took familiar form,
  yet Noah watched the ne’er do well contemn the coming storm.)

The deluge raged for forty days with seism from the deep,
and all that breathed were thus destroyed except the ark to keep.
Inside, all life rode on the waves as wind and thunder roared,
yet Noah just remained morose, for Jed was not aboard.


[Rhythm: 14]  (Lines: 28) (Words: 316)
Hawk’s Vocabulary Contest; October, 2011
All 10 words used

Axiom:  a self evident truth.
Austere: somber, grave, markedly simple or unadorned.
Gist:  the main point or part.
Malinger:  to feign or exaggerate incapacity to avoid work or duty.
Prolific:  marked by abundant inventiveness or productivity.
Avarice:  greediness, excessive desire for wealth or gain.
Avow:  to declare assuredly, openly, bluntly.
Coerce:  to compel to an act or choice by force.
Deluge:  overflow of land by water, a drenching rain.
Morose:  sullen or gloomy expression, gloom.