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At Simon Peter's Slow Walk Toward Vatican Hill
[after Stephen's poem, "Peter Walking On Water"]
I know these final steps have been ordained
long, long ago; part of my destiny,
part of my calling to that high vocation
of preaching my Lord's Gospel of Salvation.
Many of the elect must suffer here:
Nero would send all of us to the slaughter.
But, this time, I will not step out in fear,
as when Christ called me out to walk the water.
Terror almost sank me: I did not drown
only because He caught me by the hand.
Thinking on that just now, I understand
that I shall be similarly sustained,
even upon the crux of agony.
Not worthy to die the same way He died,
my last request is to be crucified
(if they will grant the favor) upside down.
Starward
[jlc]
