The Wise Man

I threw away my fish one day,
And walked behind a man.
His steps were clear and deep and sure
Upon the burning sand.
He walked right by, spoke scant a word,
But drew me still somehow.
I followed close behind the man
As wonder would allow.

It wasn’t long before I saw
The depth and breadth inside
This man who took his steady hand
And touched another’s eyes.
Then turned a bit and cupped an ear
And turned and felt a tongue.
Then turned once more with outstretched hand
And lifted up someone.

My eyes were wide, my jaw was dropped
As I could not believe
The things I saw with my own eyes
That this man could achieve.
And further on he walked again,
Speaking as he went.
And one by one, the people came
With sleeping roll and tent.

It was me who was with he
The night I nearly drowned.
It was I to whom he cried
To make his children found.
I was there when angels came
And covered him in light.
I was there in that girl’s house
When her dawn stopped her night.

I felt his hand upon my head,
His hair around my feet.
I felt the angels pry the locks.
I was almost complete.
I was there when he had prayed
And closed my eyes to sleep.
I was there behind the woods
While they walked that street.

Even then I did not know
All that he had told.
Some things strange and not quite clear,
My mind could not enfold.
Yet then I heard the rooster crow,
And then again twice more.
It was then I realised that
There was so much more.

And though my will was quick to go
My flesh stayed still behind.
I took some time and found my fish
And thought some things behind.
My life had changed these last few years
I was not quite the same.
And there he was, the man I loved,
Calling me by name.

Days went by, and soon I came
Upon the temple gates,
And looked upon a beggar there
And saw his lonely state.
“Look on us” I called to him
And so he cast his eyes.
“We have no coins, but this we have:
In Jesus’ name, arise.”

And as I took him by the arm
And lifted him to stand.
I felt the spirit pierce my heart
And power leave my hand.
He stood steadfast, with solid feet,
And then I felt anew.
For now my faith was full, a stone,
And now it all I knew.