Ash Wednesday

Jeremiah found the bottle today

The bottle today

That Susan had emptied since noon

Said Susan I thought you'd quit

She just said, "Soon,"

He said, "How much longer,

How much longer

I can't swim, can't breathe in your flood?"

She whispered "the angels are gone

40 days we've got to be good-

"Today the wind shook a thousand whispers

From the trees-

The saints in the park are gone

Flown like birds across these gray skies

Close your eyes my baby, close your mouth

There is not much more to say

I know you wanted so much more

On this Ash Wednesday"

He laid his head on his hands

On his hands

But couldn't find the words to pray

Said, "We've been throught this before,"

There's not much left to say."

She said, "This is my cross to bear

Cross to bear

You've been here way too long.

This time in the desert is mine

And has been all along."