Ash Wednesday

a day of anointing reminders

mortality in life’s basket

baby spit on my shoulder

honey on my jeans

ashes in the creases

on my forehead

anoint the day

with howls of joy

drink the cup to mortality

and l’chaim

remembering to be

the dust we are

embracing a birthday

a holy day

an ordinary common day

paint the door

chop the onions

welcome whoever comes in

ashes … ashes …

let us return

to star dust

then will dusky ash-cross

anoint mortality and

snuggle into eternity