Great lent

 





          GREAT LENT

                "Watch and pray
                so that you will not fall into temptation.
                The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
                (Matthew 26:41)

My soul, what’s left for us,
outside vanity of vanities –  all day long?

Fasting, repentance; weariness from long services;
a cozy and prayerful peace?

To be full and guilty of nothing
is harder for us than for beggar monks.

Long ago, at a rich man’s feast,
the voice of the greatest of all desert fathers

thundered, not for empty words:
"The axe is already at the root..."

And you, my soul, still in dreams,
wander all your life like the Wandering Jew,

hoarding images like silver and gold,
like memories of others’ true successes.

Your mind’s chamber is full of guests;
the trouble is, you’ve grown lukewarm –  not hot.*

(. . .)

Great Lent. Awaken, my soul, so from above,
in the hour of trial –  burdensome, mute,

the Lord won’t let you hear through sleep:
"Could you not keep watch with Me?"