BEASTS

 

I know I’ve been the slave of Lust,

It‘s pleasures lifted me on high,

It gave me joys beyond compare,

Denial just the pointless lie.

 

Of Gluttony I had my fill,

Expense accounts first saw to that,

I raped the menus, drank the wine,

And misted mellow chewed the fat.

 

And what of Greed, amassing wealth,

Was that so bad to want for more,

So in old age no need to beg,

To have some comfort safe in store.

 

In truth dull Sloth was never mine,

The first three’s efforts quite enough,

I climbed the mountain, scaled the cliff,

And made the smoothing of the rough.

 

But Anger, she has held me fast,

And anger is my burden still,

To know she shadows all my days,

Despite my wit and all my will.

 

Vile Envy I would glad abjure,

I need no crown or jewelled ring,

I’m glad when others have success,

And wish them joy of everything.

 

But Pride, damnations easy path,

An exaltation cast from youth.,

Reject the fool was all my ways,

In absolute, a holy truth.

 

And seeing all, accepting all,

I know my failings, know my fault,

These deadly sins will weigh me down,

And lock me in the charnel vault.

 

But hope has come like early spring,

My sins though damning do not bind,

And hope is just and hope is strong

And in her blessings hope is kind.

 

For hope like faith is just enough,

To cast those seven beasts away,

Sufficient for the needs of man,

Sufficient for each precious day.