Let his tears be ours.
Have we not each
at one time
hotly determined
to be faithful
and, then, denied?
Whenever we would
draw a sword,
feeling that
if we could go down
fighting
we would be accomplishing
something,
we deny the peace
of the Christ.
When we see evil,
give it power
(as Peter must have,
shivering
before the High Priest's fire),
we deny the loving Master
again.
If we call death real,
something to be feared
(doubting resurrection),
we too deny thrice.
Then
may the morning cock
rouse our hearts
to remember
Peter's tears.
Those bitter tears
watered the seed
of true discipleship!
