Valley of Dry Bones

Free verse poem written on Ash Wednesday 2023.

In this valley of dry bones I lie
Losing faith in the living
Losing faith like decomposition
One small decay at a time.
Deconstructing each breath
from skin
from sinew
from substance
until nothing is left
but a heap of bones,
broken and weary.

Did You really say…?
Are You still just if…?
Why would You…?
My trust is a hollow, desiccated thing.

Speak, Lord,
and tell these bones to live again!
Restore to me the breath of life
Strengthen the shriveled sinews of my trust
Remind me that Your body was broken
to make mine whole again.