Image: Bradford Johnson, Untitled, 1987. Mixed media. 12 x 28 x 3 inches | Featured in Image issue 25
The journal, Image: Art | Faith | Mystery is an extraordinary resource for all those interested in faith through the contemporary visual arts, poetry and literature. We wanted to feature two poems for Lent from fine poets featured in the current issue. Check out their special page for Lent that essays, poetry, short stories, and visual art.

Ash Wednesday, Unshowered

Anya Krugovoy Silver | Issue 88

My hair’s pulled back to disguise the grime,
though maybe it’s well that I’m unclean,
since from dust you came, to dust you will return,
the priest recites, smearing my forehead.
Once, twice, and I’m marked, a lintel in plague years.
I’m invited to kneel and read the fifty-first Psalm,
recalling how David watched Bathsheba bathe.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Merciful one, save me from slight repentance.
I pierced the center of the white orchid, Lord,
and it was mud, blood’s cry, my body’s blighted tender.

Lent: Deformed Pussy Willow

Anya Silver | Issue 66

———–Not the branches
we cut each
————–windy March
to hang with eggs
————–dyed red.
Not those
————–we bless
with palms
————–& smoke.
These arced
————–spines & split
limbs bud
————–through straining
bark. Backs
————–humped & bent,
bound. Does
————–God suffer
these husked
————–velvet knobs?
Stunted,
————–a wreath
of tumors.
————–Yes, he does.
Gather them
————–for procession,
for the table
————–& icon,
crown for
————–weeping Theotokos.