the land itself remains constant
(a found phrase from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Santa Fe)
we raised a family in the
mortared dustmotes and drops of petrichor, a land
of desert love that flushed itself
into our veins, rooting its remains
in our bone marrow–– our only constant
poem and photos ©2026 Patricia J. Franz
In September, we will say goodbye to Arizona, our home for the past 35 years.
We didn’t just raise a family here. The desert raised us.
Showed us the hidden life and uncommon beauty that is found with time and sacred space.
I carry it with me. I leave part of my heart here.
I am beyond thrilled to share that my debut picture book
LET FREEDOM FLY
has finally been announced!
Ruth there is no such thing as a God-forsaken towns is our host for the Poetry Friday roundup. Join us!
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Congratulations on “Let Freedom Fly”! So exciting! And good luck with the bittersweet move.
Wheeeeeee! Congratulations! I’m delighted to see that you have a book coming out. And, your feelings about the move from AZ, oh, they hit me hard…”rooting its remains.” Sigh.
A book! How exciting! I’m sure it will soar, and so will you in this new stage of life, leaving behind the desert. It is true that a place can get under your skin. For all the humidity and heat, I still would not want to live anywhere else but Louisiana.
Oh Patricia, there’s is celebration and sadness all rolled into one. I’m beyond thrilled about your debut picture book! And I’m just stunned by the beauty of “the desert raised us.” What a gift the desert gave you all those years.
Patricia, I am happy that I read your SJT post first before this PF post. There is so much love in both poems. The photos of the desert take me back to a weekend at a conference where I and some friends presented. The hotel was across the street from the statuesque saguros that amazed me. I was on sacred ground as told by the Native American who brought meditation and history during early morning riturals. Arizona seemed so lovely and I only was there for a short time. I want to congratulate you on the good news of your new book with a fabulous story to tell. I look forward to hearing more about this marvelous blessing.
May your memories of Arizona give you moments of joy and your new home a place to enjoy your life.
Patricia, I am so excited for LET FREEDOM FLY! As I said on Fb, I think (as you knew) that it will be a very important book for this injured-eagle time in our history. I feel the ache in your poem of leaving a beloved (and singular) landscape. Where will you be living full-time now–in your forest place? “mortared dust motes and drops of petrichor” takes me to an Arizona I now know better for your words! May your memories remain constant as you transition in so many ways!
Three cheers for using one of my favorite words (petrichor) in a poem. 🙂 And what a lovely poem it is, all about anchoring, place, and family. The words “the land itself remains constant” makes me think of one of my favorite books of the year, Maggie O’Farrell’s LAND. What a tender goodbye to a place you love.
And congratulations on the picture book! That is so exciting. Can’t wait to see it in print!
Congratulations for your debut book, Patricia, which sounds simply perfect for our issues today, and a story about hope, too! I didn’t know you were moving, and imagine it will be a mixed journey, the goodbyes & the hellos. Best to you & family on that path which your poem describes with fervor as well as love.