smudged

some folks
prefer the dry rub
        method,
  the dusty ashes
  slowly drifting down
     to freckle the nose,
           gray the beard
              (a little more!)
        cause the tiniest,
           and politest,
    of sneezes from the
       little girl holding tight
               to dad's hand
   saucered eyes on the
        thumb of the pastor;

me,
        i like a little sauce
   with mine (usually some
           evoo binding the gritty
           parts that refused to dissolve
      into the hoped-for condition),
  making it easier to smear
        on the foreheads of the
             knotted teenagers
    (can you imagine the texts
                after the service?)
      or on the back of hands
         of those who are not
         that sure of 'showing off
            their faith';

a little smudged
  suits most folks,
          and even if it takes
     a little extra elbow grease
   to rub off the evidence,
        that's usually okay . . .

. . . but i probably
  better forget the idea
of adding just a drop
             or three
    of permanent ink
  next time around!

(c) 2011  Thom M. Shuman