Prayer for Ash Wednesday ✝
Strip me of all
but the mark,
thumb crossing
on forehead,
that I might
let mingle
my spiraling soot
with His blessing
ashed. The burned
arm of palm
once so green
now tendered
free
of want
joins as one
the wind-tunneled trail
from which I came
and the long road
down which I travel
invoking darkness
seeking light:
I'm listening.
© 2011 Maureen E. Doallas
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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19 comments:
Beautiful poem, Maureen. I suppose I say that a lot.
Oh, I love this.
I would love to include it in my list of Lenten posts. I'll add the link myself. Just let me know.
Maureen, this is lovely. You are so talented. Thanks for sharing this.
Yes, listening is my word for this Lent.
the strength in this stripping is gripping ... {the rhyme is inadvertent}
I'm not an overly religious individual, but very well put together! Nice poetry!
Lovely, Maureen; a perfect echo of the sermon I heard this morning:
from oneness to oneness...
Peace to you, my gifted friend!
reminds me I must not forget there is this day - so especial you've put it, Maureen... and I am not very into these things but cannot help the impact and influence my education made on me... so as to believe this is a day to live in that fashion and celebrate...
I love the quiet expectancy of this piece Maureen... it helps settle me into my own Lenten journey. Thanks.
Ahh, my spiraling soot . . .
Lovely.
so lovely, maureen - i had never heard until this year that the ashes of this day are from the palm fronds of last year's palm sunday. amazing symmetry.
Especially the end. And I think that might be part of what's happening with my little ritual too.
Thanks for your comment, and the beautiful poem. Truly a gift.
Very nice Maureen.
I'm listening too. To your words calling my heart home.
Beautiful!
Strip me of all but the mark.
Yes.
Maureen, I am not a religious person, but this
a stunning piece of writing in any denomination. The images are fresh, evocative, and take me to the 23rd Psalm, a poem to the most cynical eye. I agree with others
here that you have talent to burn, and I don't
often feel compelled to say that.
The humble, stripped down posture of Lent: listening. I love this poem, Maureen!
Exactly.
Truly perfect.
so well tuned. thank you!
sherry
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