Contrition

Contrition.

I feel it 

as the ashes placed on my forehead

dust down onto my face.

My sins.

Obvious to the world.

My faults.

Staining not just my skin

but the life I lead.

Oh, God, 

Our God,

My God,

Forgive me.

Clean the ash from my face

as you clean the sin

from my life.

And may you cover me

May you cover us

in your sanctifying grace,

so that tomorrow

we might say,

I am doing better.