Kindle a new fire

on the first day

lit from the cold ashes

of my sordid past.

Tear all that lingers

seared on my flesh.

Bring me away, bleached

bones, from long sands’ reach.

Remove this despair.

Unleash my fear.

Wed faith to my cries.

I have left thy side.

Bring me to ashes,

bent neath the dust

in a blackened robe

rough, bitter and cold.

These wandering eyes

my beating heart,

call them to new death.

End this endless breath.

Blind me with your hand.

Diminish me

into the shadow

behind the cold stone,

pierced and famished,

alone in ashes,

till you recall me

parched for want of thee.

This comes from the sermon today on Jonah 3:5-9 and Psalm 51.  Repentance.