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.