Gracious Ritual of Ashes

Mark me as one who will not outlast the earth

or the melting icebergs or even the Brooklyn Bridge

Mark me as one who will have a short skip and hop

and reach the end of the sidewalk before too long now

Mark me as one who knows well his nanometric life

and sees in this ephemeral existence a hidden holy gift

Mark me as one who sees you with the same gentle eye

and wonders when you will welcome your marking, too

Mark us as ash and dust scattered about by artistic wind

landing on a timeless canvas painting we know not what