by the weight of frost made gentle in my grasp
by the alchemy of fire that warms the frozen
i invoke the power to be my own protector
i stand as witness to my fears
not with doubt but with steady gaze
knowing what is named can be transformed
i call upon the breath
lungs as bellows for courage
drawing in strength expelling weakness
until uncertainty’s ragged edges close
like resolve remembering its purpose
i am keeper of the inner flame
tender of fire that outlasts wind and snow
let my preparation be kindling my presence fuel
even one spark proves warmth is always possible
i honor the mountain unbowed
roots through stone touching all that holds the world
i am not alone i have never been alone
grant me courage to witness my own strength
to see the ways i have weathered hard things
to hold true mirrors of myself
catch fear name it and walk forward anyway
preparation begins inward
gathering courage then outward to the community waiting in the snow
i contain multitudes
everyone who has feared everyone who went anyway
i claim caution as wisdom gear as proof that planning matters
hard won ground between comfort and adventure as sacred
may i emerge not unmarked but alive
a keeper of warmth a maker of shelter
a traveler who holds herself through cold
with the same fierce tenderness offered to companions
tending self and others alike
by root and breath and readiness
by multitudes within and those yet to come
so mote it be
another deep breath exhale
now go
the mountain waits
your people wait
you are ready
—lyra moon (warmth as a sacred act)
february 8, 2026