Return from your sin.

Be faithful to the Gospel.

And remember

from dust

you came and

to dust

you will return.

Words that–when spoken along

with the imposition of oily ashes

crossed

on my dirty forehead

and the body and blood of Jesus

the Christ that washes me white–

remind of mercy and grace

and love.


This poem for Ash Wednesday was originally published on February 14, 2013