My All

I place my all on the altar
but I keep picking up pieces
a piece for my wife
a piece for my son
a little for my friends
and some for my church
a bit for my family
and a tad for strangers I may still meet
a piece for myself, so I'm not lost in the midst
till all that remains is what I no longer want

I place my all on the altar
or at least all of what's left
needing it to be burned,
after all isn't that what altars are for?
the dross the dirt the trash the rest
all that I have and can't stand
burn it up, burn it down
and pray God let that be the end

I place my all on the altar
after I take what I want
and the fire has come
and the fire has gone
just ashes remain
and I gather them up, for the journey ahead
because what I don't want I keep a strong hold of
so that the next time I don't want it I have it

I place my all on the altar
and wonder whats left
of my all and my soul
of my mind and my heart
of my faith and my life
of the dirt man that lives

I place my all on the altar
and hope that's enough
placing it there for but the moment
placing it there to be seen and regathered
placing it there for burning and collecting
placing it there cause that's where it belongs
my all on the altar, my all and my scars