My poem for today, “Snow Madonna,” was inspired by the art of two residents of New York City: Heide Hatry and Fran Dillon. Without their work, my poem wouldn’t exist. And maybe interdependence is the point?

I became aware of internationally celebrated artist Heide Hatry in October 2024 when her work, along with that of Francesca Schwartz, was discussed at the Artist Study Group monthly forum offered by the William Alanson White Institute for Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology. Hatry’s collaborative work with poet Leonard Schwartz, celebrating the Eurasian owl, Flaco, produced Flacofolio, which a friend– who shares my love of owls rural and urban — brought to my attention.

This past winter, with the help of volunteers, she created temporary public sculpture from snow and stones to draw attention to the phenomenon of global warming. Here is short news film on her work this winter. And if you would like to learn more about these amazing polar bears in their native habitat and the erosion of that habitat — take a look at the non-profit Polar Bear International website. Humans have a window in which to solve this problem that we have created. Awareness, activism, and action are all needed now.

It was another friend, Fran Dillon, who co-directs the Artist Study Group, who shared her photographs of Hatry’s ephemeral snow sculptures with me and gave me permission to share them with you. Thank you, Heide and Fran!

Fran also shared with me an anonymous — and universal — message of kindness, one sculpted from the natural materials of Central Park. I leave you with this!

LESLIE