The Smoke, the Ashes – v2

Ashes on my fingers, on my skin,

sweet smoke, filling my lungs

the moment, the power, of His sacrifice

these days of Lent, beginning today

more awesome, greater clarity, more real

now, today, having burned the palms

having broken those which were held in hope

in reverence, for the coming of the king

triumphant into his city

Burned for the ashes of this season

remembering, maybe more than ever,

understanding this offering, burned for me

His life to ashes, to dust

God’s breath taken away,

heavy in my nostrils, in my lungs

made real in a whole new way

this day, in remembrance

Beginning the forty day journey

leading through your ministry,

your faith, your gift of grace

your suffering, and your death,

Back to the earth;

But, oh to your rising,

my risen brother, triumphant

my Savior, and my Lord

Edited February 6, 2013

“The Smoke, the Ashes – v2”

February 25, 2009

“The Smoke, the Ashes”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/02/smoke-ashes.html

Ash Wednesday

burning the palms, making the ashes

Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com

A Handmaiden of the Lord

http://pastorruth.posterous.com

http://www.suncookumc.org

Suncook United Methodist Church

http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965

Suncook, NH

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.