Denial

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.” But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:66-72 

Denial

Oh you can stick your head in the sand
pretending that you cannot see the world
acting as if the suffering of others is in silence
demanding that gates be shut and walls built.

You can weep salty tears after the fact
after you have sold your people down river
cry as much as you want but we all know
self-preservation is your single motivation.

Someone knew you were only out for you
they have watched you all along and know
just how much honor and respect you demand
just how fearful you are of any mess or conflict.

We can all emphatically deny like Peter some days
we pretend we are compassionate and always kind
yet the heart of God is never fooled by our whimsy
the heart of God is solidly made out of love.