Ashes on Ash Wednesday

Ashes on Ash Wednesday
Brr of cold – but not today
Blue of sky mottled with cirrus in peach, corn flower, baby blue
Today spring is gently warming the wind
And I working feel warmer than I have
For weeks and take off jumper and tights
And dress lifting and carrying my slip

All around us boxes and bags
Stacks of frames, captain badge
Beer mats, fountain pens
Old watch batteries and the smell of
Mahogany from a draw of the partner’s desk.

In a green bag on the desk
Is a casket of ash
And tomorrow, Shrove Tuesday
Eat up the goodies, the egg
The sugar, the flour for
The 40 days of shriving.

Ash Wednesday – show the colours
Wear the ash
Be a believer
A witness
Carry the burden of belief
For all to see.

The ash in the box to stay safely hidden
Securely buried
Like treasure
Like the pearl of great price in a field

And we will stand around a dug hole
We will make our final goodbye
With the good earth of East Leeds
In this piece of Catholics generations past
In the presence of Ted, Mary Emma,
Pauline, Leo, Paul – all there
Scattered in the vicinity
And others are here too
John, Jessie, Joe, and the tiny baby of Tricia

And at last here is Dad
One year later
In his place
In his time
With his kin
It is done
It is finished.




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