A Poem for Ash Wednesday

 Lent's about to begin...

Here's a poem for Ash Wednesday.

Photo credit: resourceumc.org

ASH WEDNESDAY REFLECTION

 

It’s Ash Wednesday—

 

Off in the distance, I hear thunder

thunder, like the sound of a big bass drum

 

There’s a BOOM and a BOOM and a BOOM

and a BOOM

 

like ticking and ticking and ticking

of a clock     Like a pulse     pulsing

Like beats     Heartbeats

 

Mine—

 

I’m reminded of time wasted

and time used wisely

of goals realized

and goals not met

 

Have I said the important things?

Have I done them?

Have I given enough?

Have I loved enough?     Forgiven?

Accepted forgiveness?

 

Is the world better because I’m here?

 

Have I done what I need to do       with God?

 

I listen for the next strike to the drum

and the next

 

BOOM and a BOOM and a BOOM

 

I don’t want the rhythm to stop

 

but       it will

 

I recall our vigil at Joanne’s bedside—

Remember holding my breath, waiting for her next

waiting for each heartbeat       Wishing

my hoping was enough

to keep her

 

The beat goes on     It won’t falter

 

until     BOOM and a BOOM…..BOOM

and     silence

 

dead silence

 

and that’s it

 

  

That’s when what I’ve done

or haven’t done

 

with God

 

takes over

 

Maude Carolan Pych

"Behold the Lamb...poetically!"

Poems about the Birth, Death & Resurrection of Jesus

by Maude Carolan Pych

Published by Elm Hill,

is available online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, etc.

Email: maudecpych@gmail.com