Over Antonia tower the stars hung low,
As though to pierce with their Judean light
The cheerless cell where Peter lay in chains,
Guarded by Roman soldiery. Already
James had been slain to appease the incited Jews,
And at tomorrow's dawn the prisoner's fate
Would be decreed by Herod.
How comforting
The healing presence of the Christ had been.
Sustaining him until no fear remained.
And he expressed no separate mind from God.
Ten years had passed since, at the morning meal
Upon the shore of blue Gennesaret.
He had heard his risen Lord thrice ask of him.
"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"
And thrice command him, "Feed my lambs, my sheep,"
Absolving with each precious utterance
His three denials of his Lord the night
He stood within the hall of Caiaphas.
