Lent is a time to reorient ourselves, clarify our minds, slow down, recover from distraction and focus on the value of God’s Kingdom. Poetry, with its power to ‘awaken the mind’s attention … directing it to the loveliness and the wonders of the world before us’, as Coleridge put it, is an ideal companion for such a time.

Poetry cannot be read quickly and, in asking to be savoured, it begins to change the way we think and see. This collection of poems – one for every day from Shrove Tuesday to Easter Day and for springtime saint’s days – enables us to turn aside from everyday routine and experience moments of transfigured vision as we journey through the desert landscape of Lent and find refreshment along the way.

Following each poem with a helpful prose reflection, Malcolm Guite has selected from classical and contemporary poets, from Dante, John Donne and George Herbert to Seamus Heaney, Rowan Williams and Gillian Clarke, and his own acclaimed poetry. They take us on a journey of exploration and discovery that includes:

• • • • preparing for action

• • • • beginning pilgrimage

• • • • deepening the life of prayer

• • • • discovering companions

• • • • knowing ourselves

• • • • facing the pain

• • • • experiencing Easter.

Each is a window into heaven to light our Lenten road.