Gone Fishing

Remembering Pat at the third anniversary of Tom's home-going . . .

All his life a fisherman

Enjoying the quiet chase

And the God-given catch

And the sweet taste

Of fire kissed filet

Eaten in peace on shore of beloved lake

Or quiet country kitchen.

All his life a fisher of men

Casting a net wide and deep

Over here and over there;

Encouraging others to fish too

And helping them tie the fly

And cast the lure,

As the Son shone brightly

Over all.

Now, as in Peter’s fishing story,

Jesus appears on the shore—

He unboards to meet his Lord

Unphased by splashing waves

As thoughts of being near Him

Compel him to swim with strength

Against the waves,

Away from a fine and plenteous catch,

As fishing friends, looking on,

Recede in the distance.

Nancy Gerst, October 13, 2008

Written for Tom Odell:  fisherman, fisher of men, above all a devoted lover of Jesus.