go fishing, he suggested
night fishing of all things
I hate fishing, always have
could never see its attraction
but it's like a default reset for him
don't know what to do, go fishing
stuck for what to think, go fishing
Peter's 'run home to mama' mode
still we needed to get out of town
time and space to think, to decide
work out what on earth we do next
night fishing was good for that
at least we thought it would be
but the thinking and the talking
went no better than the fishing
round and round in circles
not a single bite, not a fish
no ideas about what next either
just lots of 'what ifs', nothing else
no fish and too much hot air

so there we were, out on the lake
sore, stiff, talked out, frustrated
still no fish and dawn approaching
a flame flared on the beach
someone lighting a fire
we could see him moving around
silhouetted against the flames
then a voice calling over the water
we can't have been far off shore
"try the other side"
should have heard Peter chunter
"who does he think he is
'try the other other side'
been a fisherman all my life
'try the other other side'"
but then something clicked
could almost see cogs turning
suddenly Peter's hauling nets
calling to Andrew for help
throwing them over the other side
the boat takes a lurch
tips over, lines taut, net full, fish
Peter shouting "get them landed"
leaping over the side
splashing fast for the shore
and the clock's spinning back
like some kind of time machine
that other catch, that other beach
we know who he is, the voice
the man calling across the water
calling us to breakfast, and ....


Thursday of Easter Week
24th April 2025
following John 21.1-14