Conversations beside the Shore
When the Heart no Longer Compels, What will We Choose? A reflection on John 21
Peter, do you choose me,
though it cost you all?
I answered,
how ever could I love you not?
twice asked & answered
long ago beside the shore.
Upon the thrice he met me
& said it is enough.
Broken-hearted,
thrice I’d failed him;
days a-looming
surely will require more.
About the Creator
Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock
Retired Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church having served for a total of 30 years in Missouri, South Dakota & Kansas.
Born in Watertown, SD on 9/26/1959. Married to Sandra Jellison-Knock on 1/24/1986. One son, Keenan, deceased.
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More stories from Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock and writers in Poets and other communities.
The Eleventh Petal
In the quiet garden of unnamed seasons, where morning light spills like honey over leaves, an eleventh petal once rose gently toward the sun— not to take the light, but to test whether the sky still remembers spring. Golden cloth moved like a field of mustard when the wind passed softly through the branches, and the trees bent slightly, as if an ancient forest were greeting a traveler who carried sunlight in quiet hands. Among the green constellations of leaves a small yellow bloom was lifted— like a star being returned to the heavens from which it had secretly fallen. Some petals are not flowers at all, but lanterns hidden inside gardens, guiding wandering hearts the way a cave once held light for seekers when the world outside had forgotten mercy. And perhaps that is the mystery of the eleventh petal— a silent cavern of calm, where storms pause at the entrance and even restless thoughts learn to whisper. The garden notices when that petal grows quiet. The branches wait longer for footsteps. Even the sunlight hesitates on the leaves, as if asking the wind: Where has the brightness wandered today? Yet seasons are patient storytellers. They know that petals sometimes change colors not because the garden failed them, but because the sky is preparing a deeper shade of spring. So the soil remains warm, the trees remain watchful, and somewhere in the hush between leaves a quiet gardener still believes that when the eleventh petal smiles again, the garden will bloom in colors it has never learned before. 🌿🌼 #Naturelovers#Arts#Petalstheeleventh#alonetime#alone
By Dr Hamza Yaqoob 7 days ago in Poets
The First Rainbow Baby
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter. The rain fell in rhythmic splatters, slowly slowing, but still constant. Mira rolled onto her side pulling the blanket tight against her ears, but still she could hear chitter-chatter and scurrying feet of the creatures that refused to sleep in the lower decks.
By A. J. Schoenfeld2 days ago in Fiction
Comments (21)
Beautifully written
I love this, my friend. It’s so simply but poignantly captured. I’ve always loved this account. I’ve always loved Peter. I like to think he had a similar affliction as I: my good old foot in mouth disease. Always saying and doing the wrong thing because I act before I think. Peter was so full of love and passion. Classic example of running ahead of his own feet. Something I relate to deeply. But Jesus saw the foundation. He named him Cephas for a reason. Told him to shepherd the flock for a reason. Trusted him as the foundation for a reason. The fact that he gave him three chances to prove his love and to give him the assignment he knew he could entrust to him… three chances to completely override his three denials. Such a pure and simple but deeply loving gesture.
Very touching and beautifully-penned! Very nice work Randy!
Randy it is so good to see your works again. This one left me speechless and wishing I can write a poem this powerful and longing.
Nicely crafted.
Feels like a poetic puzzle my mind keeps trying to unravel... Gonna keep re-reading, but a winner of a poem. Wows!
Good job 👍🏼. Thankfully, Jesus’ love for Peter remained steadfast, despite his failings. That’s love💝
Poor Peter. I feel his pain and shame in this, Randy. Wonderful entry!
Beautiful work, Randy! So glad to see you back 💙💙
That humanness is displayed in us all. The strong desire followed by weakness. ❤️ thank God for mercy and grace
Nice work.
Beautiful ♦️⭐️♦️♦️♦️♦️
ach, Peter... always gets to me! love this, Randy! your unique voice has been missed as well as your presence in general!
That moment of realization. Truth known but actions denying it Failure amid the journey Shame The same that caused Adam to hide Fear, brokenness Aware
I can feel the pain in this one Randy. Beautifully written.
Such deep emotions of struggle and dedication. I can so relate to this passage. Sometimes we experience challenges and trials in our journey of faith. It’s not always easy. Beautifully written, Randy.
Lovely words
Wonderfully written. <3
This was so profound and poignant. Loved your poem!
Choosing God above all is not an easy path because the devil will try its best to put the chosen one to test their devotion to God.
Good to see you back, Randy!!! Awesome entry!!! Love it!!!