Sacred Ash

come,
sit with me
in the dark,
let the blackness
burn your skin,
your flesh -
dead logs
peeled
to their bones,
the smell
of powdered ash
speaking
of things bygone,

a wisp of grey
smeared upon
your forehead,
the only light
whispering
a silent prayer
and blessing
to all things dead,
from which
a steady light
grows.