My Cardboard Balcony

Bold & Blue by Belinda Roddie Press your thumb down against the spine of Alabama, and you will feel a jolt, a nervous reaction that pushes the body upright and helps it take control of its common sense again. Thank the African-American women and the Latinos for their knowledge of CPR. They have resuscitated patriotism and decency when we felt that the glass had been drained. Now the colors bleed together, and the flag perhaps can be turned right side up again.

There wasn't much for me to see along the mountain range, or hear. Just the occasional scuffle of my boots and the distant echo of coyotes or other beasts who were probably lonelier than I was. I settled down on the eastern flank of Mount Veil, helping myself to cold beans out of a can. I was too tired to build a fire, and while the temperatures would drop soon, I'd be able to brave it without the use of flames.