He’s always been my level-headed son
& so I let him wander the wilderness
after his bruised-reed prophet
since he’d always return        to mend the nets
& chase another catch     I’d thought

Simon was the impetuous one
but Andrew was as steady as a boat on sand
When the Baptiser admitted      he wasn’t the man
he pointed out the Lamb of God
& Andrew was caught

He followed        & brought Simon
& some other local boys along too
What was I supposed to do?
I only had a fishing life
& he had much more to offer      than I’d got

I only wish it had been when I was young
that Messiah came      not leaving me to fish
& grow old       with the same ache in my bones
my two sons following the unknown
leaving me with naught