Jesus Makes Breakfast for His Disciples

Still Life with Fish and Fruit, 1652, Rijksmuseum

A Poem by Allison Giles

You had gone back 

to work, thinking the old 

days with me were now

futile, 

over, 

past.

But, gently, as you drag 

ashore your empty nets, 

full of shaken faith

and not one wriggling fish

(another long night wasted),

You hear, Come.

Warm your wet hands with

me at the fire that crackles 

on shore, like a beacon 

to your weary souls:

Oh ye of little faith, come

sit by the fire and, gently,

I will feed you 

breakfast. 

Peter, dry your outer garments

around the fire with me,

for your clothes, dripping 

as you smile, were soaked through

when you said “It is the Lord!”

All of you, watch

as I place these fresh-caught

fish cleaned by my scarred

hands on waiting coals. 

Taste with me the first 

flaky, warm bite upon 

the tip of your watering tongues.

All I need are the embers 

of your waning faith 

to cook this divine catch. 

To eat, laugh, to cavort

And celebrate

my rising, kindling your 

fledgling faith to life.

Allison is passionate about sharing the Gospel through art. She enjoys worship, dance, art and

writing that declares the glory of God. After serving in Ethiopia as missionaries for six and a half

years, her family recently relocated to Nairobi, Kenya, where they will offer technical training as

a means of discipleship, providing a way to make a living to nationals and the Ethiopian

diaspora. Allison’s writings have appeared in The Way Back To Ourselves and Clayjar

Review.