Unrefined [poem] by Pat Mora
The desert is no lady.
She screams at the spring sky,
dances with her skirts high,
kicks sand, flings tumbleweeds,
digs her nails into all flesh.
Her unveiled lust fascinates the sun.
*Listen to an audio recording
The poem “Unrefined” is reprinted with permission from the publisher of Chants by Pat Mora ©1994 by
Arte Público Press, University of Houston.
Institute Dates: July 20th – August 3rd, 2025
Application and Deadlines: Application opens December 13th, 2024.
Participant Application Deadline: March 5, 2025
Applicant Receives Decision Notification via Email: April 2, 2025
Participant Acceptance Deadline: April 16, 2025
