Melisa Peterson Lewis
Small hands powdered with dirt, cupped the baby bird. The half-naked animal’s bones rolled around, unable to brace itself in her shifting grip. Her sisters became anxious with each wobble. “Poppy! Don’t squeeze it, you’ll hurt him!” Stella cried, imagining that Poppy’s fingers were squeezing the new treasure, and she wanted a turn; a chance to... Continue Reading →
She began putting her gear into the pack with careful precision. Every ounce counted. Her toothbrush was missing most of the handle, which she sawed off herself. One of many dedicated feats for the commitment ahead. Shannon was setting out for a hike through of the Appalachian trail, starting in Chattahoochee National Forest, located in... Continue Reading →
We trudge on, I take the magnet off my bear bell and let it jingle as we walk. Gunnar and Mather clap their hands and whistle every so often. My eyes are focused on every shadow we cross. The five of us walk in a straight line, Tom holding up the rear and Gunnar and... Continue Reading →
There was a pivotal moment in my life that I didn’t notice at the time, but now looking back, I kick myself for taking the wrong turn. I was 20 years old and attending University of Maryland at College Park (around the mid 1990s). It was the start of the Fall semester and I had... Continue Reading →
