Ash Wednesday

Certain customs seem quite strange
When out of your domain,
Although to folks who practice them,
They’re easy to explain.

There’s one that quite intrigues me
Though it also mystifies –
A smear of ash upon one’s head,
Which seems to advertise:

I’m Christian and the world should know
Today’s the start of Lent.
At least, to me, it’s always seemed
That that is the intent.

I mean no disrespect, but why
The ashes on the head?
You’d think there’d be another way
To show your faith instead.

Religions all have practices
Outsiders cannot grasp,
And some appear so alien
They make you stop and gasp.

To those who wear the ashes, though,
When fellow folk do not,
You must be proud to show us
The conviction that you’ve got.