A Miktam of Simon

Regarding the time when Simon sank into the sea, but somehow convinced himself he was a hero. To be sung to the tune of “Do Not Destroy.”

What would this trip be like
I wondered
Could I master crossing this sea
I wondered

Such nights used to be so exciting
Out on the water—to be free
But now my heart just starts pounding
Hey, what’s the matter with me

I’m used to facing bad weather
I’ve done more than others dared
Now my spirit just seems tethered
Tell me—did I really feel scared

Our ghostly rabbi walking on the water
What’s so fearsome about that

They can criticize me if they want to
They can talk behind my back
They all thought I played the jester
But I showed the courage they lack

I put my foot out onto the water
I made my way toward the Master
I didn’t cower in the boat
So what if I didn’t stay afloat?

Oh, let them all call me a failure
I do better than their best
Jesus had the sense to put me to the test
And I made them see I have confidence in me

I know now I can impress them
They aren’t fit to wash me feet
Even in their own blood, heaven help them
They now look up to me—admire me

With each step I became more certain
I would sink beneath the brine
But I had confidence such failures are just fine
You have to agree, I have confidence in me

I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence in brawn, if not my brain
And so you can see I have confidence in me

Strength doesn’t lie in numbers
Strength doesn’t lie in health
Strength is not afraid of making blunders
When you step out, step out! Which tells me:

All I trust I give my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!

This entry was posted in Poetry, The Gospel According to Peter. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to A Miktam of Simon

  1. Greg Wright says:

    With apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein.

    Peter gets kind of giddy about walking on the water… and writes about the giddiness with a certain satiric detachment.

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