Clive Staples Lewis

Here you will find the Poem After Prayers, Lie Cold of poet Clive Staples Lewis

After Prayers, Lie Cold

Arise my body, my small body, we have striven 
Enough, and He is merciful; we are forgiven. 
Arise small body, puppet-like and pale, and go, 
White as the bed-clothes into bed, and cold as snow, 
Undress with small, cold fingers and put out the light, 
And be alone, hush'd mortal, in the sacred night, 
-A meadow whipt flat with the rain, a cup 
Emptied and clean, a garment washed and folded up, 
Faded in colour, thinned almost to raggedness 
By dirt and by the washing of that dirtiness. 
Be not too quickly warm again. Lie cold; consent 
To weariness' and pardon's watery element. 
Drink up the bitter water, breathe the chilly death; 
Soon enough comes the riot of our blood and breath.