"Snow Drought" by Subhaga Crystal Bacon

Snow Drought

The south facing hills steam in morning sun, 
hoar frost gone, air redolent of spring. 

It’s February 6th. My father’s been dead forty-
one years. Still, he follows me, late to his side. 

Who was I then, not yet thirty. I didn’t trust
my own sense that he was gone. Forehead 

cold to my kiss. The mountains have lost their shrouds, 
covered instead in dust of snow. I’m going down. 

My shadow leans into these northern hills. 
When I turn to look, it looks back. 

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Audio: Subhaga Crystal Bacon reads “Snow Drought”

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Subhaga Crystal Bacon (they/them) is a Queer elder living in rural Washington on unceded Methow land. They are the author of five collections of poetry including A Brief History of My Sex Life, Lily Poetry Review Books, 2026; the Lambda Literary Award finalist Transitory, from BOA Editions, 2023. They’re a teaching artist working in schools and libraries with youth and adults as well as private students, and an AWP Writer to Writer Mentor.

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