Poem: Dust Storm- A reflection for Ash Wednesday

I saw a dust storm once,

The winds whipped violently through the trees

Howling through the voids 

between glass that touched the clouds

It picked up anything it could carry

Only limited by its own strength, 

like a novice gym goer 

fulfilling an ambitious new year’s resolution

Carelessly discarded paper 

and plastic shopping bags brought in from cities without bans

filled the blue sky, defying gravity as they float

to litter another spot that didn’t ask for a new resident

This wind was stronger, more powerful than I’ve ever seen on a sunny day like this. 

So out of character for a wind this strong.

A wind without it’s companion darkness

Instead choosing grains of eroded hills and mountains from the past for the journey 

It seemed angry, lashing out at me unpredictably

Tossing my hair into tangles 

Desperately trying to get my attention

What did it want?

Tears began to fall on my cheeks unexpectedly,

my eyes protecting themselves from the strength of the drying air,

the microscopic particles of earth making a new home on my eyelashes,

my eyes doing their job to expel a would-be intruder

The dust surrounds me now and I can’t hide from it

It clings to me, to my clothes, to my shoes

desperate to follow me inside

To see what I am cooking for dinner

The wind reminds me how small I really am

Despite my own distaste for my body size,

And with one strong gust that unsteadies my feet,

I know I am not in control

She is in control. 

The spirit of love

The spirit that always has been 

And always will be.

In the dust storm she’s circling me now

Trying to get my attention still

Desperate to be noticed

Power felt, but not enough to make me run in fear.

I’m curious. 

With tousled hair I’m paying attention now. 

Let me clear my eyes.

What do you want me to do see?

She created the dust, not me. 

Yet, she is not the dust. 

I am the dust.

I came from it and will return to it one day.

I am dust.

I am the      d                 u                 s                      t        

I will return to the dust.