Palms to Ashes

fronds from last year's

celebration, gathered, burned

hosanna to the King of kings!

throw a match in the pyre,

flash they are dust

smoke fills the air

billowing clouds of gray rising

to meet the King

soot, dust, ashes, remember

when breath no longer moves

within the body

remember you are dust

sign of the cross traced above

the windows to the soul

only He can see what's in there

wipes it clean with dust and ashes

paradox of faith 

dirt equated to life

life returned to dust and so 

the cycle continues in Him

cleansing, forgiveness, remember you

are dust

grace juxtaposed with soot, darkness

broken into by light

love crushes despair and fills 

the longing places, remember

child of God, I love you little

one, ashes, breath, newness

of life, remember

blessed is He who comes

in the name of the Lord, ashes

to palms, palms to ashes, death

to life to death again

hosanna, the King He lives

remember