Posted on April 18, 2026 by Jenn Zatopek

THE TURNING

Another retreat, this time a surprise,
three days of silence in blue foothills
where juniper and pinyon pine dance.

Pouring myself into mud and hay,
the zendo and its inhabitants
hold me as I weep ancient waters.

On day two, I catch a glimpse– 

I am the warming seas,
roiling swells, thrashing winds,
a woman who saw a ghost,
my sailor vanished into the cloud
while tailing the moon.

By nightfall, there is the turning
glittering light covering me
in garments soft and cool. 

I watch your figure dissolving
into sweet nothingness while
freefalling into galaxies of pure joy.

There is nothing but this aliveness
this love that is everywhere
your breathing heart and mine
which is free.

Note: I wrote this poem after a three-day Zen retreat in February this year, and my experience was like a psychedelic journey, as if I was flying while sitting in silence all day. This is often how we engage in transformation: We turn from deep anger to anguish to ecstasies of joy, and only if we allow it can we change.

Image / Night sky full of stars in France, Dns Dgn