THE LONELY ASHES-poem [Ash Wednesday, 2-17-21]

CHRIST IN WINTER: Reflections on Faith & Life for the Years of Winter

THE LONELY ASHES-poem    [Ash Wednesday, 2-17-21]

 

Ash Wednesday is the only

day that ashes get to be first

in song and celebration

But the ashes are gloomy

this year. They are always

gloomy; it is the nature

of ashes. But this year

they are lonely. No foreheads

appear as resting places

for their dirty blessing

No questioning stares

from pagans and the great

unwashed hoi polio

Ashes know nothing

of foreheads virtual

They know only

Ashes to ashes

Dust to dust

They know only

that they are lonely

 

John Robert McFarland

Some ashy humor to cheer up the ashes:

Is it true, Mommy, that we come from dust and return to dust?

Yes, dear.

Well, there’s somebody either coming or going under the bed.

 

Pastor: “Oh, Lord, in your sight, we are but dust…”

She would have continued, but a little voice piped up:
“Mommy, what’s butt dust?”