Poem February 20, 2023 Issue

Fasting

Lona Ingwerson

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
and that ye break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6

Isn’t it the fast you’ve chosen as well?
This fast is not a procedure,
a ceremony,
a ritual,
but a way of life.

It’s being devoted to helping people in trouble
(undoing the heavy burdens),
to freeing people of their fears
(breaking every yoke).

It’s a “walk” not a “talk.”
It’s sacrificing the mortal for the immortal,
the material for the spiritual,
the sin for the sinless joy,
the disease for the true ease,
the failure for the success.
It’s really not a sacrifice at all,
is it?

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