A Fisherman's Tale

Long in the hours spent by the sea,

Remote and secluded there was he,

With only a net and a box of bait,

And ill-fixed weather at ev'ry state.

As the glass named sea stayed still and low,

With only the wind to guide it so,

The net was cast, and shattered the sea,

One billion pieces were then let free.

As the sun hung low, conquered by night,

The man did allow his net take flight,

To only find in the world below,

A net of water, not worth a throw.

So he casted once more o'er the sea,

One billion pieces again let free,

And his net was only full of void,

Leaving the man tired and fair annoyed.

So lonely the man set by the pier,

As the evening ships inwards did steer.

The day was done for all but this one,

For retired now had even the sun.

In discourage and despair he stayed,

By the ominous sea, torn and frayed,

Yet silent now, polished to each coat,

Save the one net that doth alone float.

Now as the moon does conquer the war,

And spill the sun's blood above the shore,

Does a lone figure walk on the waves,

And He alone the blue sea obeys.

Adorned in none but poor cloth and rags,

Yet on the water his feet He drags,

As if some wooden man He's composed,

This God of water here now exposed.

From the water's plains He did proclaim,

In a voice of angels the man's name.

“Cast now your net outwards to the sea,

For in my walk have I felt your plea.”

And the man, not wishing to be rude,

Did kindly to the stranger conclude,

That once more a cast shall matter not,

For fished he had in every spot.

But the aquatic deity said,

That outwards the net should be there spread,

And in the faith of the smallest seed,

He and his family will great feed.

The net was cast, and shattered again,

A billion fragments of ocean thin,

And as the net plunged into abyss,

It met with creatures in perfect bliss.

The net became iron, with heavy pull,

And whence did ascend, of fish 'twas full.

Our friend did leap with great disbelief,

But the stranger interrupted brief,

And, in His wisdom, told to the man,

That many fair riches does faith span.

So it was learned on this young twilight,

Whence the moon and her children take flight,

'Twas near the ocean he did agree,

That he had met Jesus by the sea.