"Ringing alarm bells, traffic and weather reports
hurriedly pursue the eating of breakfast
and rush to begin the day.
No gentle shaking or slow awakening in this
sanctuary thats become a reminder that
time does not stand still.
Four walls and a bed for troubled sleep.
          All ash - with a diamond just flung in.

Busy computer keys and frantic pagers
get lost in the busyness that comes with
a promotional place in work.
No real respect earned but snatched 
into possession as demanded  by commercial
race and status.
No time to build relations but plenty to order
what MUST be done and how. 
Exhausted.
          All ash - with a diamond just dropped in.

Rugby acquaintances and cricket companions
are never far away from the palaces of pleasure.
The rush and excitement of temporary acceptance
that slides in unnoticed.
Night falls and the way home is oddly 'stumbled'along.
An outer 'glow' brought on by artificial means masks
what is really raging and battling within.
A liquid soother, a tonic to forget.
A dispirited soul wandering among the lost.
Alone.
          All ash - with a diamond trapped within.

Broken hearted and swimming in a sea of
rejection and unworthiness.  Unknowingly creating
ripples of joy and laughter.
The cataracts of like prevent the creator from sharing
the jubilance that follows behind. Impenetrable
walls surround the essence of reality that retains the
originality acquired at birth.
          All ash - with a diamond just dropped in.

Silver droplets navigate their way down
the heavily freckled countenance,
touching eacho one and bathing it in sour saltiness.
The clear windows are washed clean as the eyes
rinse out the the pain of the day thats just been.
A glance upwards into the sun-weary and starry moonlit sky.
Eyes close. A muted sigh.
          Covered in ash - a diamond in the rough.

All covered in ash, all rough diamonds
          but ALL diamonds nonetheless."



I wrote this after the Ash Wednesday service which is the first time in a long while that I have felt like writing again.  I am now thinking on working on a song with the same title...