T.S.Eliot was baptized in 1927 and turned away from a life in the wasteland of modern atheism, decadence and despair

His new found Christian faith inspired his great poem of repentance–Ash Wednesday.

Go here to read the poem, and even better, click here to listen to Eliot himself reading the poem.

The poem, like most of Eliot’s work, is not easy. The way to read it is not to worry too much about the meaning of each word, but to allow the words to work on your emotions.

He wants the words to evoke images in your mind and emotions in the heart.

Read it and see what you think.