Soot colored snow
drifts along the frozen roads,
ice covered and tangled
with asphalt and salt.
Smudged ashes
from the Lenten service
seep deep into my forehead,
gaining traction on the slick roads
that lie ahead –
self control and penance,
penitence and prayer.
Monk-like, I long for the cave
of solitude and singular thought.
Life fills in all the edges of my mind,
rolling the stone over the tomb,
guarding from reflection
in ice covered waters
or the certainty of resurrection
in the blooming of Christ’s wounds
on the hillsides of spring.
thecourseofourseasons 
Not to mention the possibility of death on the road! Gosh, splendid parallel images of forehead and road. I love the imagery of Christ’s spring resurrection. I love the possibility of a hermit cave that is not a tomb.
I’m with you!
My feelings exactly, but better. 😉
You’ve laid out the trouble struggled with by people every year in a very unique way.
Loved the mixed images, took me tumbling down the rabbit hole to my youth.
It’s hard to find that quiet place of reflection isn’t it..it can certainly discolour the purity of snow
love the imagery.
How wonderful it is to have reinforcement of one’s faith by studied observation of the world around us. As we trudge along life’s path how important it is to see the signs all around us. Great writing.
“Monk-like, I long for the cave / of solitude and singular thought.” to reflect passion flowers of spring / resurrection…the most beautiful lines of the poem…all the words express a divine serenity…beautiful…
That’s perfect at this time of the year as we approach Easter ~ May it be a quiet time for reflection ~
What an amazing poem this is…..the struggle of the penitent’s journey, then the Passion of Christ reflected on “the hillsides of spring”. Really stunning imagery!!! Gorgeous photo too. You are blessed to have such riches right outside your door.
Thanks, Sherry. There is a legend of the dogwood telling that the 4 petals symbolize the cross, each has an indentation for the nails and tinged with red and the center is the crown of thorns. And our hillsides are covered in dogwood around Eastertide – always makes me think of this legend.
Loved how you melded these two images…especially liked, ‘Monk-like, I long for the cave
of solitude and singular thought.’
Thank you, Donna, so appreciate your kind words.
The stark beginning is so well contrasted to the end which is something like an eremite’s abode in spring.. wonderful
Thanks, Bjorn – happy you liked it
wonderful lines.
your words touches.
Thank you so very much
At this time of year I do empathize with the idea of longing for that cave of solitude and singular thought.
Thanks, Mary- sometimes I think it would be nice!
So very well crafted, love your words!
That means a lot – thank you
I like how you mingle the natural and the spiritual cycles in this poem, Kathleen. both impact our lives.
Thank you, Gabriella, I think especially as we go from winter to spring, from Lent to Easter, it holds such metaphors for us to tell our stories
Nicely done!
Thank you so much
Beatiful.
Thank you
the blooming of his wounds on the hillside of spring…what a visual that is…i want to escape the cave…so i just dug myself out (again) ha…
It has been quite a snowy winter! I hope you can stay dug out – thanks as always, Brian, it means a lot when you drop by
Just Marvelous and moving 🙂 Love!
Thanks, Morgan! So happy you liked it!
Gorgeous!
Thanks, Jennifer – so appreciate your kindness
Beautiful and poignant.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
Thank you very much, Wendy – so appreciate your kind words