The Ash Keeper

About every three days,

depending on outdoor temperatures,

ash needs to be cleaned

from our Humble Wood Burner.

I don’t know why it’s named Humble.

It’s a massive woodstove,

with a maw that can swallow

logs the size of a beaver,

and when burning

with air vent full-open

its misspelled name

should be Rumble.

Certainly, the ash is humble,

as I carry its sifted remains

outside to be dumped

at the edge of the woods.

It waves goodbye with

a cloud of soot as it covers

the snow with an arc

of faded, gray flannel.

Ash-keeping has taught me

that all our work goes up

in flames and out as ash;

that we need only focus on today,

keep our woodstove burning,

deal with the daily dirt,

and let the ashes keep us humble.

2/15/2026 T.G. Franti

“Chocolate Jesus” by Tom Franti

(written in 2021 while in COVID lock-down)

Sunday I ate my first Chocolate Jesus. 

It’s not like a Chocolate Bunny at Easter, 

though it would make more sense. 

This was my first Chocolate Jesus communion. 

In these creative worship times our Pastor 

invites us to use whatever we have near 

as substitute for Eucharistic elements, 

for both the bread and wine.  To date, 

I have eaten Christmas Cookie Jesus, 

Scrambled Eggs Jesus, Cinnamon Toast Jesus, 

Apple, Orange, Dried Apricot and Date Jesus, 

and today, the best of all, Chocolate Jesus. 

I think we should market this holiday-wide. 

Literally, Chocolate Jesus in Easter Baskets, 

Chocolate Jesus for Valentine’s Day, 

Chocolate Jesus in Halloween Bags (what a trick!), 

and Cherry-filled Chocolate Jesus at Christmas. 

There is no longer a need for communion 

to be imprisoned in dried bread and wine. 

I think the world would finally come around  

for Chocolate Fondue Jesus, would come 

to Jesus for a Box of Chocolate Jesus’. 

My next plan is to expand my communion cup 

from Coffee Jesus to Orange Juice Jesus, 

Coca-Cola Jesus, Energy Drink Jesus, or maybe 

even Jim, Johnny, or Jack Jesus; one shot 

at a time, Sweet Jesus, one shot at a time. 

2/28/2021  T.G. Franti