Pure fasted faces draw unto this feast: <br />God comes all sweetness to your Lenten lips. <br />You striped in secret with breath-taking whips, <br />Those crooked rough-scored chequers may be pieced <br />To crosses meant for Jesu's; you whom the East <br />With draught of thin and pursuant cold so nips <br />Breathe Easter now; you serged fellowships, <br />You vigil-keepers with low flames decreased, <br /> <br />God shall o'er-brim the measures you have spent <br />With oil of gladness, for sackcloth and frieze <br />And the ever-fretting shirt of punishment <br />Give myrrhy-threaded golden folds of ease. <br />Your scarce-sheathed bones are weary of being bent: <br />Lo, God shall strengthen all the feeble knees.<br /><br />Gerard Manley Hopkins<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/easter-communion/
