Canto IV. 153 Fish and 3 Lambs
Jesus showed Himself again by the sea,
When many disciples were back in Galilee.
Peter went fishing, and others came along –
Thomas, and James, Nathanael, and John.
They fished all night, but nothing was caught,
They had longed every moment for their nets to go taut.
Day was breaking; a voice called from the shore –
They did not know yet ‘twas the man they adored.
When told they had no fish, he said to them, so kind -
“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, you will find.”
So they cast, and were not able to haul in,
So great was the quantity of fins.
And John said to Peter, “It is the Lord,”
Then Peter dressed and jumped overboard.
The others came in, with net full of fish.
This was far greater than their wish!
On land were charcoal fire, fish, and bread,
Jesus sat there, and He said –
“Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
Peter hauled the net ashore, full of the creatures they sought.
There were so many, the net was torn,
One-fifty-three, that early morn.
153, fixed in John’s mem’ry, he presents
The facts to prove the real events.
He remembered this number because it was true,
He remembered quite clear, let no one argue.
No one asked who the stranger was, they knew;
They knew the man they looked to.
Jesus turned to Peter when breakfast was done,
“Simon Peter, John’s son,
“Do you love me?” He asked thrice,
Could He be remembering when the rooster crowed twice?
Peter said once, “You know that I love you,”
And again he answered the same, yes, it’s true.
At the third he was grieved, but answered again,
Said, “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love You,” then.
“Feed my sheep, tend them,” don’t defraud.
And Jesus showed him how his death would glorify God,
He said to Peter, “Follow me.”
No matter what it is for others, you must be –
What I have commanded you
Until death, be true.
Comments
:)
I thought - that the change in the rhythm was really nice and made this one of my favorites of this, but I was a little thrown off with the last stanza when the rhythm was almost destroyed with the "until death, be true". -- Megan
"It is not the length of life, but the depth of life." Ralph Waldo Emerson
:)
Maddi: As I looked it over after posting it here, I realized I should've done some quick edits beforehand. I definitely feel that Resurrection isn't as good as Crucifixion, probably because it didn't have deep inspiration like Crucifixion did. Writing IS mostly work, but having strong emotion to guide your writing can make it a hundred times better.
Megan: Do you think the rhythm being thrown off is too much? I think the jarring effect could have a good result, or a bad one - which do you think it is?
:)
I agree that Resurrection is not as good as Crucifixion, probably because of what you said.
I read this over again, and as I said before, I liked the change of rhythm - it was refreshing and made you read it fast as if it was a fast song, but then, just that last line, threw everything off. I wouldn't say it was good nor bad, but I think it's better if it's not "jarring" if that's what you call "jarring".
"It is not the length of life, but the depth of life." Ralph Waldo Emerson
:)
I always look forward to these poems. Although this one definitely wasn't your best. There wasn't as much meaning in the words you used, or the best rhyming either. But that's okay, I still enjoyed it. :D
And thanks for praying for me; it's always so encouraging to know you can just email someone with prayer requests, and be sure they'll be praying. Thanks :)
Goodbye? Oh no, please. Can’t we just go back to page one and start all over again?” – Winnie The Pooh