Before/After

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They cast their nets in Galilee
just off the hills of brown,
such happy simple folk
before the Lord came down.
Contented, peaceful fishermen
before they ever knew
the peace of God that filled their hearts
brimful, and broke them too.

Young John who trimmed the flapping sail
homeless in Patmos died.
Peter who hauled the teeming net,
head-down was crucified.
The peace of God, it is no peace,
but strife closed in the sod.
Yet let us pray for just one thing:
the marvelous peace of God.

William Alexander Percy

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