Poem for Lent

Not only is today Valentine's Day (see the poem preceding this post); it also is Ash Wednesday. Below is a poem I first posted in February 2010. I think it's worthy of reprise during Lent.

Passing Time in Lent

If you have never made offense,
whose gospel do you follow?

If you have never gospel followed,
to whose arms do you run to escape the sin?

If you have never smudged the ash,
for whose sins must you be sorry?

If you have never felt too full,
where do you create the space inside?

If you have never denied your want,
how do you know how hunger feels?

If you have never given up,
how do you learn to receive?

If you have never crossed the desert,
by what clock do you watch sun rise and fall?

If you have never offered your table,
what claim do you make on feast prepared?

If you have never consumed the bread,
at whose altar do you sacrifice?

If you have never sat with emptiness,
out of what do you fashion your hope?

If you have never done the mourning,
what sign do you accept it's spring?

If you have never seen spring light,
from whom did you learn to sing?

© 2009-2018, Maureen E. Doallas

Some of my other Ash Wednesday poems:

"Prayer for Ash Wednesday" (March 9, 2011) 

"Ash Wednesday" (February 17, 2010)