Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent for Western Catholics, or to be correct those who observe it. This morning before work I went for ashes at St. Peter’s Church. Even at that time there were rows of people waiting to receive their ashes. So I’m standing there watching people walk by with a faint ash cross on their forehead. Then it’s my turn. I kneel thinking about how I’m supposed to respond then finally say 'Amen' and move out of the way to wait for my friend. We head to work and I explain to her that every year the cross on my forehead is thick and dark, and she said like it is now. I get to work, look in the washroom mirror and realize the priests want everyone to know I’m repenting. I mean REALLY want everyone to know I’m repenting. They grind their thumb into the ashes when they see me coming and pretty much burn it on my forehead. Maybe one of these days they won’t think I have so much sin hovering over me.

We stand in rows

Waiting for ashes

As anxiety grows

Start getting flashes

Of past years’ Lents

Wonder what to say

Still time for repents

Dark Cross on display

A smell of incense

While I kneel and pray

A Novice’s Poems

Here are a few poems I wrote when I first started to write poetry. These both have a sad undertone to them, which made me think about my writing in general. It does seem sadness lingers in my writing, but I swear I'm not a miserable person. LOL! I enjoy writing if that's any consolation. Anyways, here are a few earlier works.

Heartbreak

The angel of death has visited
Once or twice in my living days.
For every occasion he has chiseled,
My spirit, as my heart crumbles away.

Soulmate

I'll praise you not, if I find you dead,
When those of us sleep in our beds.
Waiting for our chance to meet,
Has left me empty, incomplete.

There are days life takes its toll,
Misery captured, my heart, its goal.
So before you decide to leave this place,
I ask one thing, let me see your face.

One Angry Juror!

Has anyone served for jury duty? I did. I was called for jury duty at the Daley Center on January 30. I figured it would be nice to have the day off work, sit around read a book and then collect my $17.20 check, which I don’t believe has increased since the 1970s. Well, I wasn’t lucky with one day. Fast forward 2-1/2 weeks later, and I’m finally done with the trial. We started deliberations late on Friday and finished today with a verdict. I told the other jurors that we better start compromising because I wasn’t coming back. They knew I was serious because I think steam started coming out of my ears.

First, I’d like to say that it is our civic duty to serve on a jury. If any one of us needed a trial for whatever reason, we would want twelve of our peers to decide our fate, but this is the tricky part. When I say, “twelve of our peers,” I mean peers with an average IQ; can talk without it sounding like they have a mouthful of crap; and can use common sense. I'm sure the last one is reaching, but it is an important factor. Seriously, I’m glad some of these people were on a jury with me, because IF I’m ever in need of a jury they’d be excused for conflict of interest. Anyways, it’s done and over and I’m enjoying a glass of wine. Now I can get back to my blog, writing and reading. I missed all of my readers, and all the blogs I read, and my life. I really am glad I got my life back. Cheers!