Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

'January in Montana'

Jennifer Greene

by Jennifer Greene

Light from the sky is precious like sips
of hot tea, a luxury, elite. On my drive
to work, I pass through wetlands filled
with Canadian geese and hawks.
Morning frost drapes the hood
of my car in wet velvet. Fog lifts from
ponds: a lace shawl hugging
curves of the water's edge.

Dead weeds in fields join mounds
of stone sugared under hoarfrost.
Snowflakes fluttering,
inexhaustible lovers waltzing.

It's so easy to get caught up in the moment
that it's hard to focus on what happens
next. Exposure and cold intoxicates
and slurs words together: euphoria, ecstasy.
Many people who die of hypothermia are found naked.
Their bodies believed the illusions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Jennifer Greene, who is of Salish and Chippewa-Cree descent, is the author of the children’s book Huckleberries, Buttercups and Celebrations, which uses Salish words. She also wrote two award-winning books of poetry, 'What I Keep' and 'What Lasts,' which have earned national and international acclaim. Most recently, Greene was awarded the 2010 MENADA Literary Prize at the Ditët e Naimet festival in Macedonia. "January in Montana" was published in her collection What Lasts.

The Write Question blog
The Write Question on Facebook
The Write Question podcast

Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content
  • Do not murder the man whosegrandfather stole land fromyour grandfather. Do not makeyour grandchildren, who willlove you no matter what, decidewhether or…
  • Hey kid!Need a gun for Christmas?How 'bout a land mine, grenade launcheror poison dart?Wanna go to the virtual reality worldand beat down homeless…
  • The sliding barn door slams against the far wallwinter light pours in like water through floodgatesdust floats in trapped sunI reach up and grab the…
  • ...let's see what words you'll use to write the poems you write today, dreaming of Wyoming. - Miguel d'OrsThe dream will go wherever I go, luminous and…
  • Even as bones they were sublime, the sky-scraping brachyo- an brontosauri,tree-boned haunches, handfuls of arm-length claws,T. Rex with teeth uncountable…