Monday, February 19, 2007

And for the upcoming season...

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

Is it to quit the dist
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.

(Robert Herrick, 1591 - 1674)

Not a gem of a poem, but timely.

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