Matthew Chapter Fourteen Poem by Day Williams

1 Now when the tetrarch Herod heard reports
Of Jesus,2 he told his attendants, "This
Is John the Baptist; he has risen from

The dead! That's why he's able to perform
Such miracles, " 3 for Herod had arrested
John, bound him and imprisoned him due to

Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,
4 For John had told him: "It's illegal for
You to have her." 5 Now Herod wished to kill

John, but the people frightened him, for all
The people thought he was a prophet.6 Now
On Herod's birthday danced the daughter of

Herodias, who dazzled Herod so
Much 7 that he promised with an oath to give
To her whatever she asked.8 Prompted by

Her mother, she said, "Give me on a tray
The head of John the Baptist." 9 Herod was
Grieved, but due to his oaths and dinner guests,

He issued orders granting her request:
10 John was beheaded in the jail.11 His head
Was brought in on a tray and given to

The girl, who took it to her mother.12 John's
Disciples came, removed his body and
Buried it, then went and told Jesus.13 When

Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew
By boat alone to a remote locale.
Hearing of this, the crowds went after him

On foot from many villages.14 When Jesus
Came from the wilderness, he saw a crowd
And pitied them and healed their sick,15 then as

Evening approached, the followers approached
Him, saying, "This is a deserted place,
And it's already getting late. Send off

The crowds, so they can travel to the towns
And buy themselves some food." 16 He answered, "They
Don't need to leave: You give them food to eat."

17 "We only have five loaves of bread and two
Fish, " they replied.18 "Bring them to me, " he said,
19 And had the people sit down on the grass.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he
Looked up to heaven and gave thanks and broke
The loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples

To place before the people.20 They all ate
‘Til full and the disciples gathered up
Twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that

Remained.21 The number eating was about
Five thousand men, besides the women and
The children.22 Jesus immediately made

The followers get in the boat and go
Ahead of him onto the other side,
23 While he dismissed the crowd, then afterwards

He went up on a mountainside alone
To pray. When evening came, he was alone
There,24 but the boat already was quite far

From land, buffeted by the waves because
The wind was blustering against it.25 When
It was about four A.M., Jesus went

Walking to them out on the lake,26 which scared
The followers when they saw him. "A ghost, "
They said, and screamed in fear,27 but Jesus said

To them at once, "Take heart, for it is I.
Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, " Peter said, "if it
Is you, tell me to come to you out on

The water." 29 "Come, " he said. Then Peter got
Down from the boat and walked upon the water
Toward Jesus,30 but when Peter saw the wind,

He was afraid, began to sink, and screamed,
"Lord, save me! " 31 At once Jesus reached his hand
Out, caught him, and said, "You of little faith,

"Why did you doubt? " 32 And when they climbed inside
The boat, the wind died down,33 then those within
The boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you're

The Son of God." 34 When they had crossed the lake,
They landed at Gennesaret.35 The news
Of their arrival swiftly spread throughout

The towns, and people brought their sick to him
36 And begged him to allow the sick to feel
His robe's fringe, and those touching him were healed.