Lent

With the season of Lent upon us, I wanted to share yet another poem, this time by the Anglican poet, Robert Herrick.

To Keep a True Lent

Is this a Fast to keep
     The Larder lean?
     And clean
From fat of Veals and Sheep?

Is it to quit the dish
     Of Flesh, yet still
     To fill
The platter high with Fish?

Is it to fast an hour
     Or rag'd to go,
     Or show
A downcast look, and sour?

No; 'tis a Fast, to dole
     Thy sheaf of wheat
     And meat
Unto the hungry soul.

It is to fast from strife,
     From old debate
     And hate;
To circumcise thy life.

To show a heart grief-rent;
     To starve thy sin,
     Not Bin;
And that's to keep thy Lent.