Sonnet sequence for Ash Wednesday

Lent

I

Through Ramadan the Muslim keeps his Fast,

Enduring and enjoying unity

With co-religionists, until at last

Euphoria replaces piety.

While Christian clerics hedge and compromise,

Afraid to make unreasonable demands

Of their parishioners. They might advise

Some moderation... but: 'He understands

That in this modern world it might be best

To pray and do good deeds and not abstain,

For self-denial can be over-stressed.

We don't promote unnecessary pain.'

But somewhere in the world a beggar says:

'Could you not fast with me for forty days?'

II

What lion can resist the zebra's throat,

Or whale ignore its life-sustaining krill?

What eagle can eschew the hunting stoat,

Or jackal turn away from rotting kill?

The spider has no mercy for the fly,

Nor fox compassion for the frightened stray.

While swallows nimbly feast across the sky

And hungry wolves surround their hapless prey.

So why should man deny himself his fill,

Suppressing his demanding appetite,

Defying nature through an act of will,

Alleging such perversity is right?

Might it reveal the vanity of Man:

Self-abnegation - just because he can?

III

(If vanity, then man is rarely vain -

Indulgence serves as antidote to pride!)

For some, though, it seems better to restrain

Their hungry yearnings and be satisfied;

For prophets warn them that a day will come

When selflessness at last will be repaid,

And in this strange, self-serving conundrum,

Rewards will taste much sweeter if delayed.

While motives can be easily decried

Or held to scorn by cold analysis,

Can ever selfless act be justified

And called Virtuous - just because it is?

In arid wastes a man refuses bread,

But feeds it to his hungry friend instead.