Ash Wednesday Poem

ASH WEDNESDAY, 2004

Blacked again with ash of palm
smudged as one remembering death
dust thou art and dust you’re from
soon, too soon, the final breath!
Contrite, humble, feel your sin!
millions sick and millions dead.
Repent! and once again begin;
leave heart of stone and feet of lead.
If you would know the truth for me
Lent can last the whole year long!
It’s AIDs, the flue or H-I-V -
each night to misery belongs.
This time I shall make others work, finance their staffs

and let the lengthening Lent light up life’s little laughs.

 

Poems from the Eighth Decade

Copyright © Harold Macdonald 2004 used with permission
 

Harold Macdonald Poetry

Ash Wednesday
Ashes to Easter