Photo by Nick Nice on Unsplash
Ash Wednesday, 2019
All it takes
is one pine tree with heavy cones,
slouching and rain-worn in the California fog
to commiserate and give me that calm
before the storm. I grip my toes like roots
digging into the soil of this thing that you are asking
of me. I pray, obeying my yoga teacher as I stack
my vertebrae like imaginary blocks, righting
myself from the twisted position I have been
sleeping in, asking you:
Will you let me shake and flourish
at the same time? Will you water
me without drowning me? Please.
Do not go far. I am dust.
Remember?
I am dust.
Beautiful. Thank you.
Yesterday was my first ash Wednesday! I’m in an RCIA class and loving it! The theology is deep and satisfying to my soul! I love your pome!