Gallicantu

I awakened at a rooster crow, which seemed so strangely out of place

In the busy marketplace of Addis Ababa.

My first awakening in Africa

To  foreign blends of sound, and above them all,

a rooster crow -- Gallicantu.

Yes, it was a rooster crow that called me
From my dark and restless slumber into the light of day.
And stirring in the misty haze of wakefulness and sleep

I saw myself as Peter
In blustering conceit
Lulled to lethargy -
Content with boistrous faith which quickly rose
And quickly went
When the first accusing finger posed the question,
"Are you one of THEM?"

"I am not!" I cried, and again with cursing,
"I do not know that man!"

Not one, not twice, but three times Christ denying.
Then -- Gallicantu.

A rooster crow that seemed so strangely out of place.
I awakened from my dark and restless slumber,
And wept bitterly.