I dream of the first times
the longest memory
I speak of the first times
the oldest father
I sing of the first times
and the dawn of Darkness

In Nod, where the light of Paradise
lit up the night sky
and the tears of our
parents wet the ground

Each of us, in our own way
set about to live
and take sustanance from the land

And I, first-born Caine, I,
with sharp things,
planted the dark seeds
wet them in the earth
tended them, watched them grow

And Able, second-born Able
tended the animals
aided their bloody
births
fed them, watched 
them grow

I loved him, my 
Brother
He was the brightest
The sweetest,
The strongest.
He was the first part 
of all my joy.

Then one day
our Father said to us
Caine, Able
to Him Above you must make a sacrifice -
a gift of the first part
of all you have

And I, first-born Caine, I
gathered the tender shoots
the brightest fruits
the sweetest grain

And Able, second-born, Able
slaughtered the youngest,
the strongest, 
the sweetest of his animals

On the alter of our Father
we laid or sacrifices
and lit the fire under them
and watched the smoke carry them
up to the one above

The sacrifice of Able, second-born,
smelled sweet to the One Above
and Able was blessed

And I, first-born Caine, I
was struck from beyond by
a harsh word and a curse,
for my sacrifice was unworthy

I looked at Abel's sacrifice,
still smoking, the flesh, the
blood.
I cried, I held my eyes
I prayed in night and day

And when
Father said
the time for
Sacrifice
has come again

And Abel
led his youngest,
his sweetest,
his most beloved
to the sacrificial fire

I did not bring my
youngest,
my sweetest,
for I knew the
One Above
would not
want them

And my brother,
beloved Abel 
said to me
"Caine, you did not bring
a sacrifice,
a gift of the first
part of your joy,
to burn on the alter
of the One Above."

I cried tears of love as I,
with sharp things,
sacrificed that
which was the
first part of
my joy,
my brother.

And the Blood of Able
covered the alter
and smelled sweet 
as it burned

But my Father said
"Cursed are you, Caine,
who killed your brother.
As I was cast out
so shall you be."

And He exiled me to wander in Darkness,
the land of Nod.

I flew into the Darkness
I saw no source of light
and I was afraid.
And alone

I was alone in the Darkness
And I grew hungry
I was alone in the Darkness
And I grew cold
I was alone in the Darkness
And I cried

Then there came to me
a sweet voice
a honey voice
Words of succor
Words of surcease

A woman dark and
lovely,
with eyes that
peirced the
Darkness
came to
me

"I know your story, Caine of Nod"
She said smiling,
"You are hungry. Come! I have food.
You are cold. Come! I have clothes.
You are sad. Come! I have comfort."

"Who would comfort one so Cursed as I?
Who would clothe me?
Who would feed me?"

"I am your father's first wife,
who disagreed with the One Above
and gained Freedom in the Darkness.
I am Lilith.

Once, I was cold, and there was no warmth
for me.
Once, I was hungry, and there was no food 
for me.
Once, I was sad, and there was no comfort
for me."

She took me in, she fed me.
She clothed me.
In her arms, I found comfort.
I cried untill blood
trickled from my eyes
and she kissed them away.

And I dwelt for a time
in the House of Lilith
and asked her
"Out of the Darkness,
how did you build this place?
How did you make clothes?
How did you grow food?"

And Lilith smiled and said,
"Unlike you, I am Awake.
I see the threads that spin
all around you. I make that
which I need out of Power."

"Awaken me, then, Lilith," I said.
I have need for this Power.
Then I can make my own
clothes,
make my own food,
make my own House."

Worry creased Lilith's brow.
"I do not know what the
Awakening will do for you,
for you are truly Cursed by
your Father.
You could die.
You could be forever changed."

Caine said, "Even so, a life without 
Power
will not be worth living. 
I would die without your gifts.
I will not live as your Thrall."

Lilith loved me, and I knew this.
Lilith would do what I asked,
though she did not wish it.

And so, Lilith, bright-eyed Lilith,
Awakened me.
She cut herself with a knife
bled for me into a bowl.
I drank deep. It was sweet.

And then I fell into the Abyss.
I fell forever, falling 
into the deepest darkness.