THE BREATH OF GREAT LENT
Inok Vsevolod (Filipiev)
The door to my cell I secure,
I light the votive lamp.
Great Lent brings us the cure
Of freshness and tranquillity.
Out there I tried to gain
Peace, knowledge and serenity,
But all I found was damp
Indifference of rain.
The mask of life will fall
And show joys of carnality
To be like leaves of years gone by,
Like grasses dead and dry.
The shade of heavenly delight
Protects the poor and those in pain.
Great Lent, Great Fast has come again.
It has come to us all
To cleanse our souls and show us light.
2002 Translated by Kosara Gavrilovic.
Reprinted in the March 2003 Russian Inok of Jordanville