Thaw (Dakota B. Dietz)

Walking out of the

Tundra of my inner winter, the wind is a sword

Against my exposed neck. A goblin wanders in

From the fields of my

Subconscious wonderings. It stretches its hand

Toward mine. I reach back. The creature becomes

Bestial, behemoth. It sprouts wings. A

Warmth glows around us, and I realize the beast is gardening

The ground beneath us, using its talon as a tool.

A forest grows wild and dark, and my

Nose crinkles at the rich aroma of thawing ice pack. Fear

Flies far from me. Spring has come. My heart melts

Into this dragon’s companionship. And we fly away.

It takes me far beyond the

Wooded glen, past the gnarled oak

And the river willow, the pine and cedar, to the far reaches

Of the peaks where only gods and monsters dare set down

Their packs to rest. And we rest. And

Then it speaks. Its mind touches

Mine and my

Soul quakes from its voice, “My mother carried me on the hip

In these woods. They have been my home. And

Yet when we first met, my form was grotesque. Now it’s

Changed, see? Heal land, and you will also be healed.”

Meet the Poet!

Dakota B. Dietz (Field Notes to Self) Dakota is an excellent poet and teacher whose work continues to inspire me! Take note of the last word of each line in this beautiful poem from his upcoming book: (S)Wordplay: a Lenten poetry field guide. You can find more of his work at: https://dakotabdietz.substack.com/