One of Jeanette Hardage’s earliest published poems, dating back to at least 1967, seems appropriate for the season of Lent. During a time when Christians contemplate the awesome love of God, and many emphasize selfless charity towards others, consider her very brief and simple, yet profound, declaration of what true Love means. This poem also appears in her poetry collection Faith and Other Matters.
And Gave
Faith avowed, “I offer Hope.”
Hope declared, “I bring fulfillment in love.”
Love issued no proclamation,
but gave—
and gave—
and gave.