From A Distance Poem by Royston Nella

From a distance Lord, I followed You
as I wondered what the crowd would do.
There undetected I moved with stealth
keeping silent, walking by myself.

In the distance, You were on Your own
before the Sanhedrin, all alone.
By the fireside I stood, keeping warm
leaving You alone to face the storm.

Then, 'You're one of them, ' I heard her say
so I turned my head and looked away.
'I don't know this man, ' out loud I said
and cursing, denied my Lord instead.

Far from You my Lord I swore out loud
unable now to hide in the crowd.
With oaths and curses as I stood there
three times denying they heard me swear.

Your eyes met mine in the distance, Lord,
They spoke far louder than any word.
For the way, Lord, that You looked at me
convicted me of my hypocrisy.

I felt so ashamed of what I'd done
and into the distance tried to run.
Though I wept and sobbed deep tears of grief
I was unable to find any relief.

In the distance as You climbed the hill.
I kept myself hidden there until,
the One I'd forsaken and denied
was led away to be crucified.

'Too late, ' I thought, as I saw You die.
'Too late to say sorry, ' was my cry.
So I left behind that shameful cross
and went back fishing feeling so lost.

All through the night I was toiling there.
As the dawn rose I looked in despair.
Then a voice called out loud from the shore,
'On the other side you'll catch much more.'

On the other side we filled our net.
So many fish I'll never forget.
When, 'It's the Lord, ' I heard someone say.
I leapt out of the boat straight away

Swimming to join You there by the fire,
to be close to You was my desire.
The others joined with us at the meal
their wonder unable to conceal.

Three times You asked me if I loved You.
Three times I said 'Lord, You know I do.'
I thought as we dined by the sea shore
'I'll not keep my distance anymore.'