Posted on March 10, 2026 by Jenn Zatopek

TO THE WINTER SKY, THANKS
– After Joy Harjo

To the winter sky ribboned in white
with flecks of honest blue, thanks–

I am not an isolated woman.

Since forever and rupture at year’s end
your raw blueness has carried me
the color of hope and possibility.

Falling into your wilds, I marvel at my belly
a swollen river whose banks overflow
helping me reclaim rest as a holy thing.

Months later, I am a woman planted
in desert mountains, ponderosas blackened
by fire, had no wish for the burning,
but look at the lessons I’m relearning–

Surrendering into the flames is birth
pushing me into my life’s work of words;

how high winds above rugged canyons,
surreal half moon over snowy foothills,
peace of water falling on ancient stones–

All of this holds us even now
in the broken and tender spaces
in each one of us.

Image / Jemez Mountains, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico