Ashes

Ashes and this crude body always intrude
on the peace made in the soul place
away from the stunned and shaking faithful
who no not what to do with all this love.

Take the scythe and carefully cut away the unsightly grasses
that have gathered around the base of fence posts
and under the feet of strangers who travel
not for God, but for the ways of so many men.

I crumble in prayer
on holy days
like these
and only hope for heat and hope
to light the way for the promise
of ashes.