Repentance Is Quite Different from Regret

Music: Voluntarie
By William Byrd. Performed by John Sankey.

Alpha List Jewish Poems Poems for the High Holy Days Religious Poems Contents Home Copyright by Nicholas Gordon

Repentance is quite different from regret. One can feel regret for many years, Singing the same song to the same tears, Having just the grace not to forget. However, to repent must mean to change. After the regret must come the will, So passionate it does all yearning fill, Having rendered every passion strange. Actions only can forgiveness gain. No thought can penetrate the hardened skin And touch the gentle paradise within. Hearts can not feel joy but after pain.