Fishermen Leaving the Sea

He who would call himself living water,
called the fishermen out of the sea,
away from their boats, the fishing nets
to live itinerant traveling lives
to walk the dusty roads, the pathways
of the region, following him, studying
at his feet, by his side;

Drinking in water, lessons, experiences
as he walked the land, touched the lepers,
healing the sick, the lost, the tormented
Living with him, without roof or bed,
nomadic missionaries on the dusty roads
fishermen away from the sea
living not by bread alone
drinking in the living water
so they too could be poured out
like a libation, soothing
other restless souls
after he was gone

January 29, 2008