PETER

                                 I

(Luke 5:1-11)
We used to fish the Galilee, James and Andrew, John and me.
But now we fish for men instead,
Exactly as the Master said we would
If we would come and follow him.
At first the following was hard.  Seldom being on our guard
Against the devil's subtle lies, 
Which came in serpentine disguise, whose vile
Intent but seemed a harmless whim.
And so I learned, and learned again, failing Jesus often when 
He needed my allegiance most
And hoped to find me at my post, — that I 
Was not a match for Satan's craft.
I can't forget the day we met.  We had fished Gennesaret
For hours, toiling through the night
Without a single fish in sight, but he
Said, "Let your nets down for a draught."
We let them down at his behest, skepticism unexpressed,
To catch what simply wasn't there,
The fish that we had failed to snare all night,
Though we had labored until dawn.
But then our nets began to break, spilling fish into the lake.
And none of us knew what to think,
As both the ships began to sink with fish
In draughts like we had never drawn.
Perceiving his divinity, I fell prostrate at his knee,
Suggesting that he should depart
From one of such a sinful heart as me,
But he said not to be afraid.
We followed him from that day on, witnessing phenomenon
That testified to Christ with us.
And still, that healing animus within
Sustains the life of our crusade.


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