Our Lenten season continues.
Daily rituals of sacrifice and penance are observed
as we struggle with the mysteries of life.
This life filled with –
well, with those things life is filled with –
things that we love and suffer-
faces of loved ones, song, sun and moon,
food and warmth, the aching of need
and want.
We hold fast to breath
and heartbeat, far past the time our legs
and body have become undone.
I repent of all the sins I have committed
against her.
Just as each child is guilty and must be forgiven,
I also forgive her
for all those common sins that mothers commit
against their children
out of habit
or frustration
or love.
We both repent
and with ashes marked on our foreheads
continue on with her morning ablutions
and daily baptism of water
and life.
thecourseofourseasons 
So many layers here, warmth, empathy, struggle, forgiveness … so well written.
I love the penitential feeling of this poem. This passage is one of forgiveness and letting go for sure. I remember letting go of all resentment and anger the night my mom was dying, so her spirit could fly free out the open window………..love the idea of the morning wash being a baptism….very cool.
Lent is such a time of renewal. The word comes from the old English, as I understand, and has reference to weeding the garden. Seems to appropriate.
I must have quite the weedy metaphysical garden, Victoria. Smiles