Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Prayer for Ash Wednesday (Poem)

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

19 comments:

Glynn said...

Beautiful poem, Maureen. I suppose I say that a lot.

Cassandra Frear said...

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.

TK Richardson said...

Maureen, this is lovely. You are so talented. Thanks for sharing this.

Megan Willome said...

Yes, listening is my word for this Lent.

S. Etole said...

the strength in this stripping is gripping ... {the rhyme is inadvertent}

Jacob Woods said...

I'm not an overly religious individual, but very well put together! Nice poetry!

Diane Walker said...

Lovely, Maureen; a perfect echo of the sermon I heard this morning:
from oneness to oneness...

Peace to you, my gifted friend!

Dulce said...

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...

Valerie Kamikubo said...

I love the quiet expectancy of this piece Maureen... it helps settle me into my own Lenten journey. Thanks.

Ruth said...

Ahh, my spiraling soot . . .

Lovely.

Kayce aka lucy said...

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.

L.L. Barkat said...

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.

Your Sister, Becky said...

Very nice Maureen.

Louise Gallagher said...

I'm listening too. To your words calling my heart home.

Beautiful!

Sandra Heska King said...

Strip me of all but the mark.

Yes.

Rob Mustard said...

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.

Anonymous said...

The humble, stripped down posture of Lent: listening. I love this poem, Maureen!

Unknown said...

Exactly.
Truly perfect.

Sherry O'Keefe said...

so well tuned. thank you!

sherry