For the Hungry Soul

A True Lent

by Robert Herrick

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 Ragg'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. 

Lent began last week and the daffodils are blooming.  My husband continues to be cancer-free.  I lost my darling grandfather three weeks ago.  My cousin just had her third baby last week.  Life in all of its joys and sorrows continues, and in the midst of it, Lent and the promise of resurrection and eternity.