Rocky Faith

Laying in bed, I thought of the rooster's crowing, the archetypal sign of morning (I was not looking forward to waking up, sleep is precious). For some reason, I connected that with the image of Peter denying Christ, and the old play on son and sun came to mind. I tried to weave in a number of allusions to other Biblical episodes, and to include some etymological treats.

Each morning, rising from sleep,

he heard the cock calling all

to look and see the coming sun.

Lord have mercy on me,

a sinful man, he prayed,

remembering that night

when he thrice refused

to yield to the bantam call,

denying each time having beheld,

currently or previously,

the world’s light. Unstable,

trusting not his own feet,

knees planted themselves

upon the rocky floor

beside his bed, knowing

the world would kill

the messenger, despising

not the body’s tomb

instead requesting the strength

needed, knowing it is neither

deserved nor withheld.