I’d gladly go to the desert
for 40 days. Spare beauty there
in a season of not yet—

Snow peels itself back
from peaks, and soil begins
a thawing process

Below on warm desert floor
a javelina snuffles its way through
dry gardens, rooting and
scattering seeds

In the tumble of large rocks
a tree finds its way up
through a dark crevice
reaching for light

On O’Keefe’s canvasses (painted multiple times)
a dark patio door proclaims itself
against sundried adobe
waiting to be opened

Miriam Maust is a member of Waterloo (Ont.) North Mennonite Church.