Walking on Water

Walking on Water
Pentecost 11; Matthew 14:22-36
You come to me when strength begins to fail
and waves of chaos loom above my head.
All night the gale has toyed with skill and sail;
my hope is now too shredded to be said.
At dawn you walk on water, coming near:
it seems you move above and in and through
as though at one with forces that I fear.
I long to rise and walk on water too.
I manage several steps before the sight
of depths below distracts my eyes from you.
You reach a hand to save me from my fright,
and on my craft, you settle in as crew.
I’m calm enough at last to find the shore.
The sea’s the same; I’m different from before.
	Barbara Messner 5/08/2026