Fat Tuesday – A Poem
On my way to work this morning I was thinking about the fact that it is Mardi Gras today, and this poem started forming in my mind. I decided I had to get it out before it was gone. Besides, I needed a new poem to link to dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night later today.
Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras
We call it Fat Tuesday
It’s the day we eat,
drink and be merry
for tomorrow we shall die
or maybe only diet
We sacrifice the things we love
→chocolate
→sweets
→coffee
→bread
→maybe our favorite TV shows
We attempt by our sacrifice
to understand
the passion of Christ, His suffering,
His sacrifice for us
He really did die,
not just diet
For 40 days we sacrifice
as if we were wandering
in the wilderness, hungry and tired
But each night we sleep in our own
warm, cozy beds
with our stomachs full
even if not with our favorite treats
Can we ever truly understand?
Perhaps not
For today, let’s just eat
Share this:
Related Posts
22 Responses
-
Pingback: Sharing for Lent | Another Fearless Year
-
Pingback: Resources for John 14:6 - 7
Yes He died, not diet. Love this! I too feel like I have given up a lot, not just given up but lost a lot. Things taken away from me. I never quite understood Lent and still have questions about it’s biblical premise. Forty days in the wilderness was not right before the crucifixion. Anyways, I do think it a good time to reflect upon the cross, but isn’t every day a good time? And should we all out sin before we dive into sin before we dive into remorse?
I do love your poem!
All good thoughts. I will ponder them as I decide what to post for Lent.
Claudia picked my favourite lines too:
He really did die
not just diet.
We can never truly understand. All we can do is be truly thankful.
I think those are my favorite lines, too. And I agree that the most we can do is be thankful each and every day – not just during Lent, but all year long – for the gift of His grace. Peace, Linda
I’m hungry now 😉
Great verse, Linda – Food for thought 😉
today… let’s just eat! 🙂 I shall!!!
Me, too! We had fajita tacos for dinner. 🙂 Peace, Linda
cool….can we understand when we sleep in our bed and our stomach is full…we can’t know…
Linda, what a great poem! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to get these down and shared with us! God bless you as you eat today!
Deb, It occurred to me that I’ve recently given up dairy and wheat pretty much permanently – not just for Lent – so eating today won’t be any different than eating tomorrow. 🙂 But Lent does make me think of the sacrifice of our dear Jesus, and to at least try to comprehend. Peace, Linda
But each night we sleep in our own
warm, cozy beds
with our stomachs full
even if not with our favorite treats
Beautifully said Linda—
You reminded me of the Fat Tuesday’s we celebrated when I was a kid, pancake suppers in the church basement,platters piled high with hotcakes.
You are the second person today who has mentioned pancakes for Fat Tuesday! I have never heard of that tradition before. 🙂 Peace, Linda
Still maybe Lent is a salvation and not a penance in this land of butter, milk and honey! Loved it. Thanks.
This is a rarity: a true indictment and an entertaining read. This better than any Mardi Gras treat.
“For 40 days we sacrifice
as if we were wandering
in the wilderness, hungry and tired
But each night we sleep in our own
warm, cozy beds
with our stomachs full
even if not with our favorite treats”
Pretty much puts my meager sacrifice in its proper place. Thanks!
– Mosk
Mosk – Thanks for the thoughtful comment. What an honor to have been able to pen a poem that is dubbed a “rarity: a true indictment and an entertaining read.” 🙂 Peace, Linda
One more thing: you gave me the final bit of encouragement to give up chocolate and soda pop for Lent. I’ve never observed before,so thanks.
ooo can we truly understand…in the age of excess i really dont think so…nice point there…
LOL my bet is one diet and not die, but you just never know.
perhaps we can’t…just bow humbly…
He really did die,
not just diet..love that..