under the ashes
under the crease of skin
flesh bone brain body
air fire water earth metal
under the ashes
elements of nature
nature made
by holiness and love
under the ashes
minds and hearts
groan and admit
the need to repent
as faithful penitents
who give, pray, fast
in secret, in quiet
under the ashes
holiness and love
sees in secret
and allows life to bud
under the ashes
under the top soil
into the darkness of mystery
truth is real
seeds break open
roots reach deep
stems reach up
truth revealed
under the ashes
holiness and love
sees in secret
allowing life to bud
under the ashes
we all are
we all contain
elements of penitents
as seedlings for fruits
of holiness and love
