A Poem for Ash Wednesday

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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 were 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 God takes over

Maude Carolan Pych