DENIAL

[Lorenzo]

Thus Jesus: “Strike the shepherd, by and by
The sheep will also scatter.”
Yet Peter vowed: “Though all desert you, I
Will never flee, no matter
If I die.”

Three times they later pricked him with the goad
“You too were of his clan!”
Three times the hidden face of weakness showed:
“I do not know the man!”--
A cock then crowed.

Three times the Risen asked his crumbled Rock:
“But do you love me too?”
Three times the one with keys to Heaven's lock
Said: “Lord, you know I do!”
“Then feed my flock!”   

How often we've denied you, Lord, as well--
A thousand times at least!
But may we rise like Peter, when he fell,
To find a love increased
That none can quell!

http://www.catholicplanet.com/poems/arndt14.htm